An Entertaining Adaptation

Rating: 8/10 (13 January 2020)

Although removed from the original source material, Spielberg's War of the World's takes Well's book and modernises it very well for modern audiences. In place of themes surrounding colonialism, we have terrorism which, while ham fisted, does compliment many of the character's Well's wrote in his original book, particuarly Tim Robbins, who takes the spot of the Artillary man.
Giant monster/alien/robot movies have never been about subtlety so I find it easy to forgive how this movie tends to force feed its messages, where I might otherwise critisise others. What helps this movie the most is thay the cast all perform exceptionally well and the characters they play, although the most cliche of all American families, have relationships to one and other that go in places one might not expect. Tom Cruise having to choose between letting his son die and stopping his daughter from being taken out of his safety is genuinely intriguing, and makes the cliche trope of him being an estranged father serve a purpose that feels very real and genuine. However the rdvelation his son survives alone off-screen does undercut this mkment a little - not from a character persepctive because we still feel for the father, but certainly from the perspective of the plot lacking consequences (which might just be its greatest weakness).
On the other hand the giant aliens, whom we all came to this movie for, also serve their purpose to the maximum: They are genuinely terrifying and cool to watch. The movie never over indulges in destruction or violence, leaving the viewer wanting more, but displays just enough of it, often from a civilian perspective, that you never feel cheated or unsatisfied. And despite some pacing issues in the third act, the movie generally moves at a reasonable pace that ensures our characters always have a new obstacle to overcome.
As far as Hollywood adaptations go this is probably the best outcome we could have got for a War of the World's one. It is both easy to slide into and easy to appreciate. Very good movie, and I do recommend.