Politics and Martians don't Mix

Rating: 6/10 (13 July 2005)

I love the 1953 version of this story. I watch it once a year at least. I don't think I can say that about Spielberg's version. There are some things which confused me about the movie. Why does Ray pick up that piece of asphalt and put it in his pocket if he never has a use for it? Why even have Ray meet up with some friends of his coincidentally and then drop them from the story just as quickly? Why do we have to have a not-so-subtle gun control message being shoved down our throats? Why does Spielberg have to humanize the martians by making them playful and curious? More liberal clap-trap, I suppose.
I did like the return to the walking tripods of Well's vision. Also, the use of the red weed. But I am sorry to say, the story was unsatisfying, and Spielberg's editorializing distracting.
6 out of 10 for the Tripods