Near flawless, terrifying, and awe-inspiring

Rating: 9/10 (1 November 2006)

One of the scariest blockbusters in years, and definitely one of the most awe-inspiring. From the get-go, this is not a typical alien invasion film, as there are no wide shots of famous landmarks, nor scenes of government figures discussing counter-attacks. By focusing on just one family, Spielberg makes this a very human and emotional invasion flick. The first hour or so is fantastic film-making, as the suspense gradually builds up to the action scenes, the interaction of the characters is quite well-developed, and the special effects are top-notch. However, as soon as Tim Robbins enters the flick, there is an definite shift from wide open, general horror to claustrophobic terror. While taken individually, each scene is fantastic, they don't flow together at all. Put together with Robbins' manic, deranged, over-the-top performance, and a too-happy ending (not Wells' original, but Spielberg's family reunion), this film falls just short of being another Spielbergian classic. Still, it's a near flawless film, and a roller-coaster ride of thrills.