great moments, but a flat movie

Rating: 5/10 (30 June 2005)

The book is always better, isn't it? H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" is a little soft on characterization, but it's still a fascinating showcase for Victorian scientific theory and anti-imperialist sentiments. Spielburg's ill-conceived adaptation leeches out all of Welles' science, speculation, and social commentary, replacing them with typical action-movie thrills and weirdly inappropriate 9/11 imagery. If Spielburg went further in transforming "War of the Worlds" into an exploration of terrorism's effect on modern American life, I might've liked his version more, but all he does is recreate moments of chaos and violence from 9/11 in a science fiction context, which seems superficial at best.
There are other problems with the film. Cruise gives his usual likable performance, but he simply doesn't convince as a grizzled working man. There are about a dozen "average Joe" supporting characters in the movie who would've made more appropriate heroes. The strained relationship between Cruise and his son is clichéd and annoying, and there's really no need for a screaming little girl character. Certain shots simply don't make sense - why is Boston deserted at the end, except for Cruise's family, who all seem to be dressed in their Sunday best? Why can a thin line of soldiers hold back an entire crowd that's trying to storm aboard a ferry? And why are all the refugees wearing dark clothes and wooly caps, like they're peasants from World War II?
The movie's entertaining enough anyway, of course. The war machines are impressive (if impractical - no doubt they would look even better in a Victorian setting), and the special effects are predictably spectacular. But the alien invasion kick is getting old now, and this seems like one sci-fi blockbuster too many. If Spielburg had set the action in the 1880s, or included some of the science from the book, this movie might seem more unique. As it stands, it's just another in a long string of summer action movies. It's better made than most, but no more intelligent.