Spielberg on good form

Rating: 7/10 (1 July 2005)

If you like 'this sort of thing' then you will like this all bells-and-whistles Spielberg revamping of War of the Worlds. Spielberg's films tend to avoid deep meanings: they are true escapist story-telling. It's what he does best, and here he is well accompanied by Tom Cruise, an excellent actor who's calling is similarly 'unambitious' but who's reach doesn't exceed his grasp.
Most people will know the basic story, so it needs an expert storyteller to make it fresh. It's set in the USA, in the present, and impressed me for its restrained use of special effects given the theme of invaders from outer space sterilising the earth of human 'bacteria' in order to settle. It starts off slowly enough, very laid back as we are eased into the characters of Ray Ferrier (Cruise), his estranged wife Mary Ann (Miranda Otto) and their two children, Justin and Dakota. The build up and invasion is almost secondary to the sense of rising panic, fear and ensuing desperation.
Spielberg successfully manages the task of creating largescale film with a disaster convincingly global (see it on as large a screen as possible!) and there are plenty of opportunities for simple acts of heroism (adolescent Justin trying to save passengers on ferry), caring (a father doing his utmost for his rebellious children, even as he's scared out of his wits himself) and cutesiness (the young Dakota making every father's heart melt  and the acting of Dakota Fanning is one of the great child performances of the year).
The actual aliens and their ships are impressive enough, but not ostentatiously so. Two thirds of the way through, Tim Robbins makes an appearance as an ambulance worker and his screen charisma makes an excellent balance to Cruise who could otherwise be too all-engulfing.
Spielberg manages to wind it all up before it gets boring (running time is mercifully under two hours). As a fun ride, War of the Worlds is slick, thrilling, and worth every minute  but has little substance once you've left the theatre.