Overall entertaining, but unfortunately has to cater to all

Rating: 7/10 (5 July 2005)

War of the Worlds. As with all "summer blockbusters" this movie is meant to pack'em in. The creators were trying to please every audience here. That is unfortunate for everyone. The problem is, you can't please all of the people all of the time, so they are trying to please all of us at least part of the time here.
The film, to start out, had a lot going for it. The effects were amazing, the action was great, and it was very suspenseful. The apathy of the invaders was frightening and it chills you to the bone. The movie even manages to feel nostalgic in remembering the older film and has a very vintage UFO feel.
So what's the problem? Well, with the necessity to cater to all, the creators felt they needed to have a sweet, cutsie, ending for the lead characters. I know there are those among us who can't stand to see a movie end on a downer, but come on. Aliens have just come a hairline away from conquering the entire planet, killing everyone, leveling towns, searching basements for any leftover survivors, obliterating everything, and we're supposed to watch Tom Cruise come walking down the street to his ex-parents-in-law's house, where the entire family welcomes him at the door without a scratch!?! They look as if they just sat down for Sunday dinner for God's sake! And if that wasn't enough, of course, the son lived, and made it home! Come on guys, would it have killed them to knock off at least one lead?!?
The conclusion is, this happy little ending is merely, in my mind an attempt to cater to that gum drop audience who probably used to be "full House" fans. I think if you're able to look past that, then you'll enjoy yourself. If these cookie cutter endings really get you down though, you may wait till you can rent it, so at least you can skip the mushy stuff.