An amazing movie experience, but not perfect

Rating: 8/10 (29 June 2005)

While there are so many things i could say about this film, i've decided to mention the things that stood out in my mind the most. War of the Worlds, for most of its running time is in my opinion one of the finest alien invasion movies ever crafted and one of the greatest science fiction films I've seen in a long time. That being said there are flaws and missteps along the way, but for me the flaws did not ruin the experience as a whole. Any movie maker that keeps me riveted, yet thoughtful, terrified, yet questioning is a quality film maker in my opinion. From the moment the first tripod appears you realize that this is going to be a different type of disaster movie. A disaster movie that not only examines the destruction and the attack but looks at the emotional and physical destruction caused by fear. The visuals are absolutely amazing. I have never witnessed CGI so flawlessly incorporated into a film and if this doesn't win the academy award for best special effects there is no justice.Everyone in the theater where i saw it had there jaws to the floor for a good portion of this movie. I think i need to see it again to really respect all the things Spielberg is trying to say , but yes there is a message here . Whether it be about occupying powers, ruthless invaders, aliens not doing there homework before invading another planet and suffering the consequences of their unknowing and arrogance...there is much more here than meets the eye. Many people will talk about the end and even though i loved this movie the end is awful, and illogical and i'm not talking about the end to the war, but rather the end to Ray's struggle, it just didn't work and I really hope there's an alternate ending laying around somewhere because for the whole movie we are confronted with the reality of invasion, of devastation, of war and then we are jolted out for Spielberg family time and it just doesn't work. It's like riding a roller coaster down an incredibly steep drop and then hitting a wall at bottom. This film deserved better than that. That being said I still had an amazing time at the movies, the best i've had so far this summer and War of the Worlds was worth every penny.It's a flawed gem, but in no way is it a failure, exactly the opposite.