A box of Cracker Jack without the peanuts or prize

Rating: 4/10 (28 June 2005)

Hyped as one of the biggest movies--if not the biggest movie--of Summer 2005, War of the Worlds just falls short. Visually, it is very impressive, boasting some of the best special effects sequences ever shown on the big screen. Unfortunately, this is all the movie is. Much like Tim Burton's "re-imagining" of Planet of the Apes, you expect more than what you're given. The acting, especially for a Spielberg movie, is sub-par. While I am not a big fan of Tom Cruise, I was willing to put that aside. For the way he was hyped, you would think he'd do a better job. I understand that the idea is for him to be an everyday guy thrust into an incredible situation, but for that to work you have to make the character interesting and likable, and Cruise's Ray Ferrier was neither. The way the character was portrayed, anyone could have played the part. Dakota Fanning screams her way through the entire movie, obviously having been cast for the strength of her lungs rather than any acting ability or talent. The War Machines themselves got very little screen time, and I suppose it goes toward the old adage "leave the audience wanting more", but considering they are the central focus of the movie, there should be more! Strangely, they seemed to change size throughout the film. At first colossal giants, they somehow shrink later on! Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the appearance of the much awaited Red Weed, which did show up briefly, but was used to no great effect. While the movie seemed longer than it actually was, there was a lot of buildup and then...it ends, very quickly, with such a happy, peaceful conclusion you're left wondering about all the devastation that had just taken place. Whether you're a newcomer to War of the Worlds and wondering what it's all about or a longtime fan, you're much better off seeing the original George Pal 1953 version and the excellent television series which served as a continuation of the basic story.