War of the Worlds: Too Bad to Be True *1/2

Rating: 1/10 (29 July 2006)

H.G. Welles must be turning over in the grave to know that such an awful film was made based on his best seller.
Tom Cruise is in the lead role of a father forced to flee with his 2 children when monsters invade the planet. The latter look like replicas from the various 1950 monster films. The major difference is that they're filled with modern technology.
Oscar winner Tim Robbins steals this poor film in a brief appearance as a demented person ready to fight these monsters at any cost.
The ending is contrived as the family reunites. It was shown earlier that the older son was killed but miraculously he returns in an imitation ending film scene depicted in "Ben-Hur." Add the 1/2 * to the special effects.
Dakota Fanning is engaging as the young child. Her frightened look tells the whole story. Unfortunately, I'd also be frightened to be in such a mess.