B-Movie Blockbuster does exactly what it says on the tin!

Rating: 8/10 (1 July 2005)

Steven Spielberg's latest blockbuster is a tour-de-force of entertainment and the latest special effects, which despite it's shortcomings in the substance department, still works thanks to the amazing effects, good plot pace and high entertainment value on the whole. The film is, of course, based on the classic novel 'War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells' and is a remake of the 1953 film of the same title. The film follows a similar structure to that of most disaster movies, in that it follows two plot lines; the first being the major disaster itself, and the second being the smaller tale of an estranged family unit. Spielberg never truly manages to garner the maximum effect from either story. Sure, the effects are amazing and when the aliens are attacking, you wont care about much else; but he grounds the story in minute details too often, and the story of Tom Cruise and his estranged kids just isn't enough to form a solid backbone for the movie. Adding to the woe on this front is the chemistry between the actors; of which there isn't a lot. I realise that it's supposed to be an estranged relationship, but really; the three central characters could have been strangers.
However, nobody will pay admission to War of the Worlds for the accompanying story, and it's the overblown special effects that steal the show and are the real star of the film. I'm not usually one to rave about CGI, but the effects really are something to rave about. As cars fly across the screen and underground tremors give way to huge mechanical monstrosities, it's impossible not to be entertained and it goes to show that all these years Spielberg has spent making popcorn have made sure that he knows how to give the audience what they want. The alien attack sequences in this movie are the reason people go to the cinema. The story of the family at the centre of the movie is typically Spielberg, and it shows a father whose kids live with their mother and call him Ray instead of Dad. The family really just gives Spielberg some characters to spin the action around, but he does manage to squeeze some credibility out of this plot. As it plays out, we can engage more and more with the characters and despite their lack of chemistry; Spielberg wins us over with them in the end.
Tom Cruise isn't an actor that I rate very highly. While he has screen presence and charisma, he lacks acting talent and in this film, like many other films of his, he seems to simply be playing himself. It's lucky, then, that this film is an effects laden blockbuster; because if it was an actor's film; Cruise would bring the project down without question. He is joined by the latest child-actor craze; Dakota Flemming. Actually, this young actress isn't nearly as annoying as many of her counterparts and she delivers a solid performance in the film. Justin Chatwin makes up the threesome. I'd never heard of this actor before, and it's not surprising since he's hardly made anything. I liken his performance in this movie to that of the kids' in Jurassic Park - decent enough at the time, but forgettable by the end. Spielberg's direction is, of course, solid throughout and although he's not the most talented director to ever sit in the director's chair, popcorn is what he's good and when he's making it, you can usually count on a good time. Unless it's called Schindler's List, of course.
The ending of 'War of the Worlds' has always seemed like something of a cop-out to me. It's one of the things I hated about the original movie, but thanks to Morgan Freeman's outro; the ending is wrapped up nicely and it even seems to make sense. Spielberg still manages to cop-out on us with the ending to his other plot, however; which is far too soppy and spoils the most powerful moment that the film offered. But on the whole; War of the Worlds does exactly what you would expect it to do. It offers solid entertainment, some great special effects and not a lot else. I had a really good time watching it and the film most definitely built on my expectations. A highly recommended summer blockbuster.