Great FX, but too linear

Rating: 7/10 (29 June 2005)

*may contain spoilers*
Damn, that Tom Cruise can look good. On screen, at awards, even when he gets squirted in the face with water. But something is lacking when we're on the subject of War of the Worlds. Could it be his co-stars? His director? Or maybe it's Mr. Cruise himself. Lets start off with the great parts. First off, the CGI was on a grand scale. I've never seen a movie pull off some of the things WOTW pulled off. It really is a breath taking experience when you watch it. Sencondly, Tom can act. It wasn't Oscar worthy, not even close, but it was better than some of performances in your local theater right now (can you say Bewitched)? Thirdly, the....umm...well that's really it. Notice how the second paragraph was so short. Now for the bad parts. The co-stars. I found them to be awful, maybe with the exception of Tim Robbins. Dakota fanning really got on my nerves. Her screaming every time something bad happened was really really annoying, and it needed to be changed. Secondly, the CGI. I know I said it was great, but only the first time you watch it. The spectacle wears off pretty fast. The last, and major part for me, was the script. Don't get me wrong, the story was amazing, but it only focused on Tom and his two kids. I know that's what it's intention was, but it took away from the total chaos of everything else that was happening around them. Oh and one more thing, the ending. Lets just say I almost wanted to ask for a refund because I felt so ripped off. But no spoilers, and I hope you can enjoy it besides the movie having some major flaw. Definitely not Speilbergs best, but a good effort.