It's Not Out of the World

Rating: 6/10 (19 May 2006)

Well let's see....War of the Worlds Is the most fun I had at the movies this year so far. The special effects are dazzling. The performances are pretty decent especially coming from a young Dakota Fanning and A-lister Tom Cruise.
A few sites were spotting him for Oscar buzz but it looks like Tom will sit another year out. The entire film from beginning to end is all about one thing and one thing only....survival. There's no fancy story that will lead to Tom Cruise to fly a plane into the core mother ship or have a glass spill over onto a alien's shoulder that will melt him. It's just all about survival and a pretty realistic depiction of what might happen if aliens did invade.
Spielberg tries to bring some heartfelt drama into the film but kind of falls short in that department. I guess we'll all have to wait for his Untitled 1972 Munich Olympics project which by the way still hasn't started filming but word has it, it will start very soon. The rest of the cast gives good performances; Tim Robbins as a psychopathic survivor seeking revenge. Miranda Otto has a pregnant angry ex-wife and a standout amongst the cast is Justin Chatwin who plays Tom Cruise's character's son. He has one big scene where it gets pretty emotional involving a father and son choosing two different paths when it comes to alien invasions.
This film sparks up many discussions. Where would you run if aliens arrived? What would you tell your children? Would you want to fight? Would you sacrifice anyone who stood in the way of your survival? These are all questions that come up during the film and after. War of the Worlds was a good film worthy in all technical categories. In terms of a science fiction spot for the Oscars Best Picture race, I don't think they'll be one for it. Go see it is good fun.
Grade: ***/****