Ulla again

Rating: 9/10 (23 May 2006)

I'm not a fan of Hollywood blockbusters except as a piece of empty entertainment. I have no expectations about them; but I am irritated by people who complain that these films aren't 'Citizen Kane'. So 'War of the Worlds' had a lot to live up to. The book has some superior parts in it than others. The '53 film was a successful piece of commie bashing entertainment. To add to the challenge for Spielberg there is Jeff Wayne's musical version and a performance and recitation of that by a British actor, scientist and psychic called Stephen Armourae who is such a fan of the work and Richard Burton (who was on the album). Spielberg firstly remained fairly faithful to the book and paid homage to the 1953 film since it more successfully than almost any other of the anti- communist sci if films captured a sense of desperation and a strong style that was present in 1950s Hollywood productions.
The film is surprisingly dark and realistic and is prepared to hold to its convictions without pandering to the audience. Spielberg has been prepared to take risks of upsetting the audience since 'Schindler's List' demonstrated the importance of serious and mature film making to him. References to the Holocaust are present. In an essay by Stephen Armourae he points to Wells' prophecies: his description of the heat ray is similar to an atom bomb explosion and when the martians destroy London they concentrate the populace of the country into London before turning it into the martian's camp and exterminating them. Wells uses the word 'camp' too. All this 50 years before it happened. Having given the impression that this is a bleak and miserable film this is much like the 50's sci-if movies that it at times so successfully tributes and consequently is entertaining. Cruise being a Hollywood success has meant he is forever cast as an action hero. Here however he displays vulnerability as he breaks down over family pressures and the pressure of total annihilation.
A recurring problem for the sci if departments has been the fighting machines. Hence in 1953 they replaced by martian aircraft. Finally they have been able to manage the relentless and threatening movement as envisioned by Wells. The ending is hurried along as the the film has spent so much time developing the story More awareness of the invader's predicament would have been preferred. 'Dead London' in the novel and in the musical benefit from this. This film is worth seeing and to be surprised that this look back towards the 50's also contains the kind of old fashioned writing and craftsmanship that was blown away after the success of 'Jaws' created the Blockbuster for good and bad.