Pass the clichés

Rating: 4/10 (14 July 2006)

The best thing about this film is that, though transferred from 19th century London to the US East Coast in the 21st century, it does otherwise at least try to follow H.G. Wells' original fairly closely. For example, the invading aliens use tripods as their fighting machines and there is a fairly lengthy scene in which the lead character (not named in the story but called Ray Ferrier here) is trapped in a cellar with a madman (played, with obvious relish, by Tim Robbins).
Unfortunately, in his attempt to inject human interest into the story, Steven Spielberg opts for a set of main characters so clichéd that even Lifetime would be embarrassed to portray them. Ray (Tom Cruise) is our hero, a flawed man and neglectful father whom his wife (Mirando Otto) has renounced in favor of Tim (David Alan Basche), a clean-cut, responsible sort who takes care of her and the two children she has by Ray. Tim, effete rich guy that he is, virtually disappears (of course) when the crisis hits while Ray emerges as strong, loving and caring, taking calamity as an opportunity to redeem himself with his children. Can anyone say "soap opera"? The special effects, particularly early on, are pretty good, but the music is absolutely forgettable. Meanwhile, the attacking aliens are never actually stated to be Martians, a fact obvious in the original story and that the 1953 film made a point of right from the start, and their reasons for attacking are never identified ("envy" is mentioned, but why do they feel envious?) leaving the film seriously adrift.
Dakota Fanning, as Ray's daughter Rachel, is an irritating, glib brat who screams too much! Meanwhile, Morgan Freeman, as the narrator at the beginning and end of the action, sounds half-asleep - perhaps understandably.
In all, this is a pretty unsatisfactory movie experience, inferior to the 1953 version and something of a step back for Spielberg. Except financially, of course.
Rating: 4/10.