"You and I, I don't think we're on the same page."

Rating: 10/10 (29 June 2005)

As I read the negative comments of other reviewers in this IMDb forum, and listen to New York critic Jeffrey Lyons pan the updated version of "War of the Worlds", I can't help feeling how wrong they are. The film without question is groundbreaking, earth shattering and enlightening, all with no pun intended. A mere dozen or so minutes into the movie, Stephen Spielberg has the audience wrapped up tight in this alien adventure, and doesn't let go until the closing credits. As much as it's star Tom Cruise is currently grabbing publicity headlines with his personal life and attacks against psychiatry, all of that is forgotten once the action gets under way; it's his mission to save his fractured family amidst the chaos and rubble of an alien invasion that quickly grabs our attention and doesn't let go.
To be sure, there are elements of the film that defy credibility, other posters have commented on a character's use of a camcorder after all other forms of electrical and battery equipment shut down following the aliens' lightning strikes. For my part, I found it incredible that the single operating vehicle commandeered by Cruise's character Ray Ferrier encountered not a single meaningful roadblock until it was overcome by the panicked crowd in upstate New York.
The scientific explanation for the underground location of the aliens I found to be rather ingenious, the critters drove down on their own lightning bolts. Contrast that with the one offered by militant Ogilvy (Tim Robbins) who offers shelter to Ray and his family during the destruction of Athens, New York - the aliens have been here and planning an invasion for a million years.
Though Tom Cruise offers a generally excellent performance, it's co-star Dakota Fanning portraying his daughter Rachel who's a genuine scene stealer depicting a huge range of emotions as the film progresses. Relative unknown Justin Chatwin is Rachel's protective brother, and his finest moment comes when he squares off against father Ray over his motives in trying to bring the family to Boston to reunite with their weekend vacationing mother. Well, maybe not, his heroic side is revealed when he helps panicking citizens attempt to escape the alien attackers via a Hudson River ferry.
More so than most disaster movies, this film actually made me think about what I might do facing similar circumstances, not that an alien invasion might take place in my lifetime. The film does an excellent job showing the reactions of average people to an unbelievable and mind numbing series of events. Who among us would resort to Ray Ferrier's unseen, but definitely alluded to action after he blindfolds daughter Rachel and closes the door behind him to deal with the increasingly irrational Ogilvy. What would you do to insure your family's safety? Fast forward to the film's end, and it does conclude rather abruptly, though true to the original version of H.G. Wells' novel. I'll be looking forward to seeing the film again, this time with an eye out for the original 1953 movie's star Gene Barry in a cameo appearance.