Another triumph for Spielberg.

Rating: 10/10 (13 July 2005)

While we have seen countless variations on the alien invasion movie, Steven Spielberg's does here what he previously accomplished in "Saving Private Ryan": putting us on the inside in a way we've never been before. Consequently, there is a palpable sense of realism and fear in "War of the Worlds" that was missing from "Independence Day" and "Signs".
Spielberg, making his most overt popcorn film in nearly a decade (one which nevertheless features some sophisticated subtexts), utilizing all of his tension building skills much in the same way he did in "Jurassic Park". While this is not likely to go down as one of his greatest films, it is a top-notch thriller with strong performances from Tom Crusie and Dakota Fanning, and a welcome addition to the filmography of Hollywood's greatest director.