Thrilling, gripping - high stakes action and soft tender moments.

Rating: 10/10 (29 June 2005)

I actually just signed up for this board so I could write a review of this movie.
It is a wonderful example of the craft of Spielberg and the surprising restraint of Tom Cruse.
Being introduced to our main character first as a person, then getting introduced into his lousy life - you really hate him in the beginning -then getting introduced to the bad guys - they aren't even formed yet, just storms and bad things happening, ominous really scary from the inside out.
The way he does his transitions from one moment to the next just pulls you along. Each moment sets up the next and invites you deeper until you are so involved there is no escaping.
You get moved, step by step into the movie - invited, your guard is down and then BAM! The action is intense. The way people talk, their accents  the way they move - the small moments it all works and makes this one believable tableau for the story.
I was just grabbed by the lapels and thrown around emotionally and visually. I was scared most of the time. You feel the sense of extermination of being powerless and yet hating those creatures and wanting to do something.
There was one moment that was a little schmaltzy  that was during the scene where the army was making a last stand the officer told his men it didn't matter if their rounds didn't stop the things, they were just buying time for the refugees. I would not have used that word, it made people sound like they were not Americans. I don't know what word I would have used, but it seemed out of place. During the scenes where people were displaced and walking about in the country side  somehow it felt like the American Revolution  don't ask me why.
It rained a lot, and people were wet and vulnerable  you felt that.
Then, there was the big surprise  no Tom Cruse moment. It is usually there somewhere in his films where he just lets his emotions rip and he screams and jumps around. It is kind of overdone, and I usually just sit there during his films and wait for it. This time around, his moment was one of real depth, tenderness and anguish  transmitted through stillness and tears as he his hugging Dakota Fanning. This was very poignant moment and very disciplined and focused. BRAVO! There were some reviews that slammed the way Tim Robbins came into the picture, but because of the chaotic nature of what was happening, I thought it was right on.
This is one hell of an action picture. It is an intense and riveting drama with soft human moments. Just being able to span the range of emotions  stark raving terror, to soft fatherly tenderness for a daughter. Sense of humanity  that's it. That is what this is, a wild ride with a true sense of humanity. Go see this movie. Forget what the commercial critics write, they are bored with life and I think they hate movies anyway  at least they seem like it with their cruel and hurtful language.
It is definitely worth it.