A brilliant modern-day horror film

Rating: 9/10 (2 July 2005)

I loved it in a way I haven't loved a movie in a long time. I loved it for truly disturbing me, for really keeping me unnerved. I don't scare easily, but the building of horror upon horror in this film really got under my skin. I walked in thinking I'd probably "like" it or enjoy it, but that there really wasn't much left to do with an alien invasion movie, especially in a story already done. I was wrong. Whatever was going on in my head and my heart during the events of 9/11, Spielberg managed to tap right into that part of me again.
Oh, and Oscars for Dakota Fanning, Michael Babcock (sound designer... BEST SOUND IN A MOVIE... EVER!!!!) and Dennis Muren.
I know some have faulted it for not showing us enough big SFX battles. That is like the son, Robbie. He had to see it. It's something inside of us that keeps us glued to the TV on days like 9/11, or when the US invaded Iraq. We have to see it. But in this movie, we are completely limited to what Ray sees and experiences, with few exceptions. I thought that was kind of brilliant, and by never taking us out of his shoes, that's what makes the horror work. It's immersive in a way similar (in effect) to Blair Witch Project, without having to rely on a video camera. So in the end, we're like Robbie. We want to see it all. When we go to movies, we're used to seeing it all, as if the audience is omniscient. When we don't see it, it gets under our skin. And when what happens does happen, it's all the more effective.
I loved the ending, especially for not taking the easy way out: to try to outdo everything that's been done before.