poor believable, poor third act, poor character development

Rating: 4/10 (5 December 2005)

I just rented and watched this and the experience made me for the first time to post my comments. I don't know if I have been more disappointed and confused by a movie as to let me post something. OK, to touch on a few. What was the son's motivation in the story? Why would he want to neglect his sister just to look at Aliens? "If you love me, you'll let me go?" That statement just made me wonder if I had missed something. Coupled with that his character at the end comes out of the house and no one wonders what kind of selfishness will make him leave his sister with a father he feels is irresponsible. More on that scene - Tom's ex-wife's house was in excellent condition and everyone calm and rational while aliens are everywhere, even though dying. Why not have a crumbled house and the people emerging from the rubble wounded, dirty and scared? The end was the most anti-climatic I had even seem. In fact when the movie was going on I asked aloud how the third act will conclude considering the relative strength of the first two. Then suddenly it ends. Flat, dry and oh so disappointing. (I am still confused on why this screenplay was shot with such a poor third act) To make matters worse, Tom Cruise character has to start saving the day. Suddenly he blows up an alien and has the military listening to him. What I laughed at was how when the first man got sucked into the tripod, nobody tried to pull him out but immediately Tom Cruise went in, everyone suddenly has the courage to wake up from their shocked stupor and pull. I think Mr. Spielberg is a great filmmaker and as an aspiring filmmaker, I greatly admire him but I know this wasn't a very good piece and maybe, just maybe to maintain the integrity of a story, having a conclusion that isn't Hollywood packaged should be a risk, he'll enjoy taking in the future. There are so many filmmakers emerging, the last thing I want are people getting tired of his work because of the predictable and syrupy ending.