Incredible special effects and great summer movie

Rating: 9/10 (2 July 2005)

Man, I really liked this movie!!! I know part of it might be from all the hype and some of the reviews I read at Ain't It Cool News, but I've seen through the hype on most movies, so I think my opinion is real. My wife really liked it too, and she is very honest when it comes to movies, even if she knows I like them.
War of the Worlds is a screen adaptation of the novel written by H.G. Wells in which aliens from another planet come to destroy the inhabitants of earth. In the movie, we follow Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) and his son (Justin Chatwin) and daughter (Dakota Fanning) as they attempt to escape the terror and destruction of the aliens and go to Boston where Ray's ex-wife (Miranda Otto) is supposed to be. Ray is a terrible father to his children, who seem to barely know him, but he seems to get a new lease on their relationship by surviving this ordeal.
The special effects in this movie are the BEST I've ever seen, and I am predicting an Oscar for best visual effects. The movie, on the other hand, won't win an Oscar for much else, but I really enjoyed watching it for more than the special effects. This film is terrifying, real, grips you from the very first alien sequence and doesn't let go until the end. You are on the edge of your seat the entire time, wondering what is going to happen next. And speaking of the first alien sequence - watching the way the aliens kill people has to be seen to be believed. It is spectacular and horrifying at the same time. The ending is okay, and stays true to the book from what I hear, but I was expecting something more spectacular.
Besides some of the plot holes, this movie is just awesome. The acting is great, and the effects and meant to only be seen in a theater. Please go out and see this movie before you rent it, and you won't be sorry. I'm going to try and see it again soon!