An Unexpected Disappointment

Rating: 1/10 (30 June 2005)

If ever there was a trailer that wrongly convinced you of what a movie was really like, this would take the cake. Watching the previews for this movie I was excited to see a Sic-Fi Drama that perhaps was similar to "Independence Day" but I was horribly disappointed. Steven Spielberg's confusing attempt to make this suspenseful thriller a comedy has dismally failed. I was too mad to laugh at any of the comedic or incredibly corny scenes that surrounded what could have been great entertainment. The best part of the movie was the beginning scenes which showed the relationship between Ray Ferrier (played by Tom Cruise) and his two children Robbie Ferrier and Rachel Ferrier (played by Justin Chatwin and Dakota Fanning). Best actor goes to Fanning's wonderful performance and great screaming abilities. Her huge eyes and some talent for comedy helped me out with a few chuckles during this long, drawn-out, incredibly corny movie. Probably the lowest part of the movie was when Cruise says goodbye to his son (who is not yet old enough to drive) who demands to see the army fight these creatures because 'He Must'. They had me rolling my eyes and looking down at my watch as the camera scanned down on Cruise gripping the last of his son's body as Chatwin crawls up the hill to massive explosions. As I walk out of the movie theater, the only thing that comes to mind is, "I could have been doing... anything!" Don't waste your money and don't waste your time on this feeble attempt for a big budget movie.