War of the Worlds

Rating: 7/10 (28 November 2005)

I have to admit the first time I saw this I wasn't very impressed, mostly because the performances by the leading actor and the daughter, but the second time I really saw why this remake by director Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra- Terrestrial, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan) is a good one. Basically Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is looking after his two children, young daughter Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and teenage son Robbie (Justin Chatwin) while their mother, and Ray's ex-wife Mary Ann (The Lord of the Rings' Miranda Otto) is in Boston. Ray isn't enthusiastic about looking after his kids, but his self-absorbed attitude is soon to change when a lightning storm approaches, and it seems bolts are hitting the same place numerous times. Then a large machine, known as a Tripod, comes out of the ground and is attacking everything in its path. Ray and the kids are now on the run with everyone else to escape the alien extermination and get to safety. Along the way they encounter an angry mob wanting their working car (all vehicles, electricity and communication has been killed off), Harlan Ogilvy (The Shawshank Redemption's Tim Robbins) obsessed with stopping the aliens in whatever way possible, and capture by one of the ships. In the end, after breathing and eating our planet's stuff, the aliens die of sickness, and Ray gets the kids to their mother safely. With opening and closing narration by Morgan Freeman. The special effects are of course fantastic, the story is pretty good, and even though the characterisations of Cruise (nominated the Razzie for Worst Actor) and Dakota may get on your nerves, you can believe their reactions. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. Very good!