An Interesting Adaptation of a Classic Novel

Rating: 7/10 (31 July 2008)

I was unsure about what to expect of this film as I'd heard some fairly mixed reviews but I needn't have worried as I found it interesting and fairly tense for a twelve certificate film. Obviously there have been changes from the book; the aliens no longer come from Mars and the action has moved from the suburbs of London to the North East of the United States. I was pleased however to find that the ending was pretty much the same as the book with the invaders being killed by a disease rather than by human action even if it did seem a case of deus ex machina.
I liked the fact that Tom Cruise's characters wasn't a hero who took the invading aliens single handed and saved the day but instead did what most people would do when confronted with danger; he grabbed his family and ran, hoping to be reunited with his ex-wife who had gone to Boston shortly before the aliens arrived. As well as the aliens they have to contend with other people trying to flee.
The special effects were impressive, especially the alien weapon that disintegrated people but left their clothing intact, the tripods also looked pretty cool. I didn't have any problems with the acting although I wasn't too keen on the son's character, he seemed somewhat gung-ho for somebody his age.