Great suspense film

Rating: 10/10 (30 June 2005)

Having read a lot of the reviews, I find it amazing that people are trying to find the tiniest cracks in the movie to try and tear it down. This is about FANTASY and ESACPISM folks! My wife and I saw this movie tonight and we both agreed that it was one of the best films we've seen in a long while. As with any sci-fi film, you have to suspend your belief in a few things. Yes, there is a scene where a guy's cam-corder is working when all other electronic items have ceased working. But if that alone ruined what was happening at that particular moment in the movie, then you weren't going to be interested to begin with. The effects were brilliant, not to mention the sound. Hearing what was basically a horn coming from the alien ships, and to have it make your skin crawl after a few times of hearing it - well only a great director could do that. And you won't look at dust the same way ever again. Or a train crossing. Filming from the POV of Cruise's character and his family was awesome. You saw what they saw which was just enough to keep you unnerved. The acting was as good as you could hope for - after all, they were running for their lives for most of the movie. Personally, I think this was such a superior film to ID4. No huge famous landmarks to destroy - just everyday stuff, which makes it more personal. And we aren't a "fly on the wall" with the President or his Generals to find out what we're going to do to fight back. We just go along with Ray and his family and the rest of the ordinary folks, trying to find a place to hide - much more terrifying. The ending was appropriate. Again, we are seeing this as Cruise (Ray) and his family saw it. The general of the army isn't going to happen to be on that street to explain his battle plans to civilians passing by. It's also true to the book, which is that bacteria kills the aliens. End of story. Great movie - best of the year.