Continues the renaissance of sci-fi films at the box office

Rating: 9/10 (9 July 2005)

One of those films which everybody will go to see simply because of the predictably inflated hype and so that they will not feel left out of conversation with friends and family in the weeks after its release.
There are many strengths to this Spielberg/Cruise collaboration - the whole story is paced reasonably frenetically with plenty of impact and surprise which belies its near two hour length; the special effects are of an awesome quality to uphold the general feeling of impending doom and fear; the roving, panaoramic style of Spielberg's camera which compliments the special effects and makes the viewer feel amongst the people fighting for their lives; the acting of Cruise and more especially, Dakota Fanning (who sustains a grossly tearful and fearful demeanour all the way through the film) and Tim Robbins, who is effortlessly quirky and unbalanced in his role.
Perhaps Cruise and family do survive too easily and perhaps the intention of the script-writer to show how adversity can bring a broken family back together doesn't fully work, but these elements do not have a major impact on a film which thoroughly entertains, plays with your emotions and even provides one or two scenes that are a little more gruesome than is anticipated (nb: the bodies in the river scene and the mob scene).
The end does come a little abruptly but its explanation is satisfying plausible.
A must-see film which many more virtues than weaknesses and pretty much deserving of the hype. 9/10.