Makes INDEPENDENCE DAY look like the Fourth of July.

Rating: 10/10 (16 April 2007)

My Take: A terrifying and exciting version of the classic H.G. Wells tale. Possibly the best version.
(This is an extension of the review I wrote in April 2007)
Unlike his "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial", Spielberg's adaptation of H.G. Wells WAR OF THE WORLDS doesn't give a peaceful message of aliens being friendly to earth's beings. The aliens here are, to all those familiar with Wells' story (And most thankfully, most are), hostile and couldn't think of any other reasons to land here on Earth, but to destroy it. While WAR OF THE WORLDS might be geared as entertainment, bringing Spielberg back in his days with JAWS and JURASSIC PARK. But upon mastering his skills as a more serious filmmaker in SCHINDLER'S LIST and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, he makes WAR OF THE WORLDS a much darker experience, making it more effective and more frightening. Spielberg shares Wells' vision in a tale of an invasion on earth by emotionless aliens. This is thrill-master Spielberg at his best.
The camera focuses mainly on Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) and his family, who are forced to leave their home, and run for their lives after an gigantic tripod emerges from the soil and destroy everything in its path. The films plot, thankfully, didn't burst into an all-out war that pits man and aliens in the ultimate war. Like what Tim Robbins' character says, "This is not a war when there's a war between man and maggots... This is an extermination." That's some of the elements that actually elevate this from other alien invasion films. "Independence Day" or "Mars Attacks!" per say.
From the first frame to the last, I think it was a wonderful film. The flaws are there, but in favor mind-blowing entertainment and sheer terror, I won't hold them against the film. The special effects on the tripod machines are impressive, not because the CGI is top-notch, but that because how effectively ominous they are. These tripods join the shark from JAWS and the Raptors from JURASSIC PARK as yet another perfect killing machine as only Spielberg could create. If this is not the best adaptation of Wells' classic tale, it's definitely the most frightening. WAR OF THE WORLDS is terrific entertainment.
Rating: ***** out of 5.