Nine Out Of Ten

Rating: 8/10 (5 July 2005)

Despite a gaping plot hole, I found this to be a good movie. All of the actors/actresses were acting at 100%, even "robbie", who was a relatively un-heard of actor. Tom Cruise was surprisingly great for a lousy father/ex-husband. The 3 main characters all have a great connection. Early on in the movie, they are all distant, and have no visible relationships, let alone love for each other. However, as the plot progresses further and further into the movie, and the bonds are continually formed, enforced, and emphasized. Tim Robbins also makes for one great crazy person. In the other movies he has been in, he is generally sensible, sane, and level-headed. I was surprised about how talented he was in his role. Along with acting, it was a realistic movie. If you use your imagination, and think "what would happen if aliens tried to take over our planet?", you would find it pretty realistic. The scene in which the mob tries to steal the mini-van, i noted, was a very smart scene in the sense desperate times call for desperate measures. The element of this movie that stands out the most is the special effects. When that first tripod comes out of the Earth, and blasts that creepy horn, I was stunned. If I live another hundred years, that will be probably one of the most memorable movie moments that I will have ever seen. The final element that made this movie so astounding is the suspense. The scene in which the 3 characters are hiding in the basement with those weird tentacles/cameras and aliens searching the basement, I had shudders going up and down my spine! I wanted to cover my eyes, but the suspense was so extreme i couldn't move. The only downside of this movie is the HUGE plot hole, which why I had to take away a star. But, you have to go see this movie.