It will take your breath away!

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2005)

War of the Worlds is one of the most breathtaking movies I've ever seen. Once it starts it takes you and never lets go. The attack on the city is done in a more realistic way than ID4. Spielberg always wanted to make a War of the Worlds movie and this is a remake that's actually extremely good. It's about a construction worker (Tom Cruise), who gets his kids for a weekend.
After a huge lightning storm Cruise goes outside to check up on things. Him and some neighbors examine a hole in the street until suddenly it starts getting bigger and bigger. Then that's when the alien ships start coming from under ground. They start out by blowing up some people while Cruise and many others run in horror. Cruise goes back to his kids in shock and starts packing things. Then he steals a neighbors truck because he realizes an even bigger attack is just moments away.
Although Tom Cruise is a bit nuts these days he's still one of the best actors around. Although the attacks and the aliens are more of the star than him, he still gives a great performance. Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire) is equally good as his daughter. Tim Robbins (Mystic River) as a nut with a shot gun who takes Cruise and Fanning into hiding steals the show in a small part.
The movie never lets up. When you think it's taking a break from attacks, there's another scene full of tension and then another and another. I think this is Spielberg's most terrifying ride, even more so than Jurassic Park and Jaws. When the movie was over barely anyone talked or could move. It just takes so much out of you. It's haunting, gripping, emotional and just well done. It does have a problem or 2 though. Like for instance, the narration in the beginning and end from Morgan Freeman isn't needed. It takes away from the realistic nature of the film. We don't need the stapled on explanation at the end to why this or that happened. It just seems like something from the Twilight Zone. Otherwise I think War of the Worlds is one of the years best so far, next to Batman Begins and Sin City anyway.