I was unsure about this film. Then I was sold!

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2005)

Having read the original H G Wells book and have always been a huge fan of Jeff Waynes musical adaptation, I have always thought this would make a brilliant film. I have questioned for years "Why haven't they done War of the Worlds yet?" So when I finally heard that Spielberg had got his mitts on it, I awaited it's release with baited breath.
But then I saw the trailer. No! How could they do this? I couldn't believe my eyes when I realised that they'd taken the story out of the 1800's when it was originally set AND taken it out of London where it was originally set.
Notwithstanding my foreboding that it was not going to be worth seeing, I went along with serious doubts to see it (after all they ruined Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy).
To say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement! The transformation from journalist to caring family man was brilliant, not least because of the added angle of strained family relationships coming good under extreme pressure. Most of the threads of the original story are there. They even managed to role two of the original characters into one and make it look as if it had always been that way.
My vote? Go and see it, even if a fan of the original story. I think you too will be pleasantly surprised!