Nice planet... we'll take it!

Rating: 7/10 (30 September 2005)

Before I get started, I just want to say that the 'War of the Worlds' story, in whatever shape or form, is the only thing that has ever scared me so much that I couldn't sleep at night. After suffering insomnia from both the book and the musical, I (foolishly) went to see the movie.
I'll only tell you the beginning bit because I don't want to spoil the story. (Though, chances are, you already know what happens.)
The movie takes place in America (Big Surprise!). After a monologue by Morgan Freeman, we are introduced to the movies antagonist, Ray Farrell (Tom Cruise). Ray is your average schmo who lives in New Jersey. It just so happens that his ex-wife is dropping off their two kids to stay with him for the weekend, while she visits her parents in Boston. They are the teenage son, Robbie (who clearly holds no respect for his father) and the ten-year-old daughter,Rachael (who, when told to order take-out, orders healthy food?!)
Ray's ex seems worried about leaving the kids with our, less than responsible, hero, but he waves her off with a smile and the words, "There's nothing to worry about!" (Irony, anyone?)
Now the fun starts. First of all, there's this freak thunder storm where lightning strikes the same spot twenty-something times in a row! As if that isn't bizarre enough, EVERY machine (cars, watches, pace-makers, you name it) stops all over town.
Ray ventures outside to see what all the hoo-hah is. He winds up (along with a group of expendable extras) gathered around a crater that is quickly growing in size, until finally it coughs up a giant alien tripod! The towering machine gets straight down to business. It whips out two heat rays and fires them at the gawking crowd. (Sucks to be them!)
Ray narrowly escapes instant cremation, dashes home, grabs his freaked-out offspring, manages to get to the only working car in New Jersey and floors it in the direction of Boston.
That's enough for the story, time for the special effects. What can I say; the tripods look very realistic and even scarier than they look on the musical cover, so no complaints there. I was a little disappointed with how the aliens themselves looked,but you can make up your own mind on that. The overall visual effects, combined with the sound, caused me to jump, gasp and cower at many a point in this film. The music is very creepy too, though I would have premiered it if they'd included the signature tune from the musical. (The martian battle-cry would've been awesome too.)
Overall. 'War of the Worlds' may be far from perfect, (there are plenty of plot holes and parts that just make you go "huh?") but it gave me a thrill and deprived me of sleep for three weeks after seeing it, which makes it as good as the book and musical in my mind.
If you haven't seen it, give it a try. (As a reminder not to shack up with deranged ambulance drivers, if nothing else!)