Not extraordinary, but worth a viewing

Rating: 6/10 (5 July 2005)

I don't feel that this film lived up to the hype that was created about it, which could of spoiled it somewhat for me and others. I know it's your job to sell, but don't over-hype your movie, studios!! I just didn't feel that this movie was as spectacular as it was made out to be. However, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it to moviegoers. There were some scary parts-the loud 'honking' noise that sounded every time the aliens were about to attack was truly frightening and kept running through my head the day after I saw the movie. If I ever hear a noise like that in reality, I think that I may jump out of my shoes!! The tripods were quite scary as well. It was interesting and a good plot line that Spielberg chose to show the aliens as actually being very curious and timid once they exited their tripods and explored around the house. Apparently they could only be menacing inside their tripods. My problems with this film: it wasn't at all explained how the aliens were able to harbor underground to begin with. Was this explained in the novel? I also felt that it should of been shown how Tom Cruise killed Tim Robbins. Why did the door close without the viewer being able to see how he did it, and not even a scuffle or other noise? Spielberg can show countless people being zapped and guts being blown out but not one person killing another?? There was also no explanation given as to how Tom Cruise's son survived and made it back home. He headed into the fight and somehow survived the huge, fiery inferno that killed everyone else? How extremely milquetoast and unrealistic. Overall, the movie is scary, it has amazing special effects, and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, but is not flawless nor the best action/scary movie you will ever see.