what makes this "War of the Worlds" stand out is not its story or its characters, but the overall harrowing atmosphere that would be natural if invaders should attack earth

Rating: 9/10 (30 April 2010)

I am familiar with four adaptations of the H.G. Wells novel "The War of the Worlds," which to my mind is one of the best books ever written. I liked three and had a rather strong disdain for the fourth. The two most popular are film adaptations, one in 1953 by George Pal which has gone on to be come a classic and one in 2005 by the always creative and trustworthy Steven Spielberg. Spielberg's version of "War of the Worlds" is not one of his best films, nor is it one of the best science-fiction films, but it is, I say, a very noteworthy take on the science-fiction alien invasion genre for this reason. Spielberg shows us what a real alien invasion would be like: scary with a capital S.
Although I do enjoy the old light-hearted classics like the original "The War of the Worlds" and their modern-day followers this "War of the Worlds" tackles the subject of an invasion with a surprising amount of realism. I am not only talking about the special effects, which are very plausible, but the way Spielberg has his characters react to them. This is not "Independence Day" with Will Smith punching an alien's lights out, smoking a cigar and saying "Now that's what I call a close encounter." When the alien tripods arrive (it's refreshing to see the filmmakers choose Wells' original idea instead of the usual flying saucers), the characters don't stand up, but turn tail and run for their lives. The whole movie is about Rey Ferrier (Tom Cruise) and his children simply trying to survive through the invasion while hundreds and hundreds of less fortunate people die around them. Although there is nothing wrong with a lighthearted action film like "Independence Day," this take is ultimately more plausible and more visceral. I tell you, if aliens did invade the planet, I would not be running out to fight. I would duck down and run for my dear life.
Spielberg once again uses the scare tactics that he used before in films such as "Jurassic Park" and my personal favorite of his', "Jaws" and he does them with sheer brilliance. The alien tripods are very well-realized: scary, unnatural-looking, unresembling anything on this planet (the use of three legs instead of four is brilliant) and what they have inside of them is also quite scary. But what's also great is the way Spielberg keeps the tension on the rise when there is no immediate danger. The movie's about Ray and his family trying to stay out of the invaders' path. It's also refreshing to have it follow Ray's perspective, like in the original book, and not cut away to government officials and scientists. We are left to wonder and guess just as much as he.
This "War of the Worlds" is a flawed film with some weak characters and a few unnecessary scenes, but it is saved by director Spielberg's genius and the way he manipulates our minds to ignore those flaws and keep in the atmosphere of the story. This I admired about "War of the Worlds." I saw it twice when it was in theaters and I have seen it several times since. I do enjoy the 1953 film as well. I enjoy both movies for different reasons. The original is in the always welcome, nostalgic tradition of lighthearted adventure and the fight of science; this adaptation gives us a very authentic feeling of what it would be like if aliens did come to earth.