Spielberg pays the bills

Rating: 7/10 (29 June 2005)

After a few years of making his own 'personal projects' like Catch Me If You Can, and The Terminal, Spielberg decided that this year would be a return to the 'event' movie. What better popcorn entertainment could he choose than HG Welles' War of the Worlds, a book which is beloved by sci-fi fans the world over, and has been blessed with many other beloved adaptations over the years, from the radio-broadcasts to the TV series, from the 1950s movie, to a prog-rock album. Even Independence Day was nothing but War of the Worlds with a different name. But, what could Spielberg add which no other adaptation has offered so far? Indeed, why bother remaking it when the 50s film is still a classic now? Wellwhy not? In this new version, set no longer in Victorian England, but instead in modern day USA, Tom Cruise plays a dock-worker named Ray who, against his wishes, is dumped with the kids by his ex-wife whilst she and her new man go to visit relatives. Ray is far from an ideal father, and in fact can be described as a terrible parent. He has no idea about either of his kids, from the teenage rebel Robbie (Justin Chatwin), to young daughter Rachael (Dakota Fanning), and is not looking forward to spending time with them. Things are about to get worse for him as he witnesses the initial devastation of multiple lightning bolts, and the awakening of long dormant war machines which immediately begin destroying all civilization. From there, the film follows Ray and his kids as they try to escape the carnage, throwing them from one situation to another as the world around them erupts. "Is it terrorists?" is the post 9/11 cry. Nope, it is much worse! This isn't the only War of the Worlds film this year, with a low budget film doing a faithful adaptation due out on DVD soon (set in Victorian England). However this is the most high profile. I haven't really been excited about the film, and went in expecting a typical Spielberg popcorn-flick, much akin to Jurassic Park. The film didn't let me down, and I found myself enjoying it throughout as one set piece led to another. Spielberg has littered the film with his usual shticks, from the dysfunctional family, rebellious youth, to the blue collar hero in Ray, but these shticks are used to simply thrust us from one effects shot to another.
The effects on offer are truly amazing, putting the cartoon fluffy Sith CGI to serious shame. When you consider that Sith spent 3 years on the effects, and War spent 9 months, it makes it even more amazing that they can deliver such impact. From the rise of the tripod, to the cultivation of the weed, each glimpse of the well designed vessels, and aliens is worth the money spent on the ticket alone. Speaking of the weed, this is a nice inclusion into this version having not made it into other adaptations, giving a new slant to why the aliens are attacking (they are terraforming and harvesting).
The cast do their parts admirably. Cruise is a sour swine at the start, but in the later scenes, particularly with Dakota Fanning, he starts to show compassion and becomes the Dad he was never able to be. Fanning is perhaps one of those rare occurrences of a young actress who can actually do her lines well! Tim Robbins is just, well, nuts as the slightly disturbed Oglivy. Spielberg uses all his directorial style to get the best out of each actor on screen, and to ensure the interaction between cast and CGI is seamless.
None of this film is new, and those expecting more than just blockbuster entertainment are going to leave the screen disappointed.. There are touches of poignancy that raise the bar a little (a burning train has never chilled me so much), but in the end this is an adaptation of a great book that is, in itself, seriously flawed. The final act of the film suffers slightly by sticking to the book too much. Anyone who doesn't know how the story should skip to the next paragraph now.OK, if you are still here, then you already know that the aliens are defeated by bacteria, such as the common cold. This was in the book, and it has been in every adaptation to date. It has never really satisfied as a cinematic or dramatic ending as, just as the film builds, and it looks like all hope is lost, it ends. Just like that. However, if Spielberg had altered this ending to make it more cinematic, he would have created an outcry! Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Nonetheless, despite the failings of the ending, the rest of the film is well paced, with no time being wasted in set up. If you just want some simple popcorn thrills, look no further. If you are after something a bit more substantial, and hated Jurassic Park, go elsewhere. This is Spielberg paying the bills before he picks his next personal project.