a modern masterpiece!

Rating: 10/10 (30 June 2005)

First off, I have to say that this is a side of Spielberg's creativity I've not seen often, save for JAWS. War of the Worlds is brutal, and merciless toward the easily frightened viewer. However, in all its brutality, its tragedy and horror, it has raw, unbridled, savage beauty, and the simple message that EVERYONE JUST WANTS TO BE FREE. It is, as nature shows in the film, natural for all human beings, and it is our destiny to be free.
Now, for the review. The movie is absolutely terrifying. I, the guy who thought Scream was funny, was trying to simultaneously cover my eyes AND my ears (without much success, I might add). Parts of the film, especially the scenes with Cruise, Fanning, and the crazy guy take a pretty conventional approach to the horror aspects, but to chilling, petrifying effect.
The Special Effects are just that: VERY SPECIAL. You can see this is a Spielberg film when you look at the Tripods (icky machines shooting death rays) and all the ship come out of the ground- or the water-because they distinctly like descendants of the space ships from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Except for the fact that they're evil.
The Acting is superb, and in all cases (except for Miranda Otto of LOTR fame, and Cruise's son "Robbie") the acting is Oscar worthy, especially for Cruise as Ray and Dakota Fanning as Rachel. This is, in my opinion, Cruise's finest work, since I believe he's actually suited for the role he's in (I'm not really a big Cruise fan except for Minority Report), and if Fanninf were just a WEE bit older, she could be Ann Darrow in Peter Jackson's upcoming King Kong (instead of Naomi Watts).
Overall, the film is an astonishing feat of imagery and emotion, and I believe it's an early runner up for Best Picture. While many rush to call this anti-E.T., I believe it is wiser to say that this movie falls more along the lines of Schindler's list in its feeling of slow and lilting horror, its imagery, and the passion it makes you feel for character you don't much about, but care for instantly (whether the feeling be love or loathing). So go to your movie theater. Prepare for the holocaust, and be amazed and astounded by the War of the Worlds.