Spielberg out does Independence Day with this superior film!

Rating: 9/10 (20 June 2007)

2005's War of the Worlds, Steven Spielberg's second collaboration with Tom Cruise and the remake of the classic novel was a smash box office hit.
Outdoing Roland Emmerich's trashy 1996 alien invasion film, Independence Day, by every step stars Tom Cruise in a surprisingly effective role as a selfish and divorced dock worker with two kids in tow for a weekend that none of them will ever forget.
What starts off as a routine weekend with the kids becomes all all out force for survival as alien invaders, looking to destroy all of mankind pushes, Ray Ferrier, (Tom Cruise) to the brink of insanity.
Now I am one of the first people to admit that I personally cannot stand Mr. Cruise and some of his recently irritating antics, from his couch jumping, to his undying love for then girlfriend, (a much younger Katie Holmes, who is young enough to be his own daughter) and, his much publicized debate with Matt Lauer on the effects of psychiatric medication.
However, if you can put Mr Cruise's obviously inflated ego aside, you'll see one of the most effective performances as a man whose character arc becomes of the film's most uplifting qualities.
The visual effects were flawless and were rightfully so nominated for Best visual effects at the 2005 Academy awards ceremony.
Steven Spielberg has turned his usual friendly alien comes to Earth tale upside down and shown second rate directors like Roland Emmerich how an alien invasion film is really done! Nominated for three academy awards, including best visual effects, War of the Worlds is a fantastic trip down the terrifying side of alien contact!