War of the Worlds - A Disappointment

Rating: 3/10 (30 June 2005)

Steven Spielberg has unfortunately missed the mark with a film that can best be described as hollow. The outstanding special effects and Spielberg's unequaled attention to camera angles and imagery cannot be saved by a screen play lacking in character and plot development.
Dakota Fleming gives the best performance in the film as Tom Cruise's daughter. Her character at least shows depth and feeling. Even Tom Cruise's acting ability doesn't provide any depth to his character as he can't rescue a flat screen play.
The special effects allow snippets of brilliance but there is nothing to unite them together into a story. The only characters that are of any depth in the plot are Cruise and his two kids. Other than the edge caused by his being a divorced dad seeing his kids on the weekend and their anger towards their dad, there is no further character development. The movie would have benefited greatly from other characters being introduced and developed beyond their shear terror in reaction to the invasion.
To make matters worse, the ending of the movie falls flat and appears as if it is nothing more than an afterthought. Some set up would have been nice.
If asked to go see this movie, you might consider doing something more important ... like washing your hair!