Entertaining, Gripping and Well Done

Rating: 8/10 (3 July 2005)

I wasn't sure what to expect when I sat down in the theater to watch this movie. I had not heard of the H.G. Wells work, which this movie is based on, before seeing the movie and the trailer and previews don't tell you much, as well the should not or really cannot do so and stay true to the movie. After the first half hour of the movie I found myself totally drawn in, gripped, entertained and somewhat scared.
I don't think I am really spoiling it for anyone by saying that this movie is about an alien invasion of earth, but not really "about" an alien invasion of earth. If you are going into the movie expecting an "Independence Day" style plot and movie you will be badly disappointed. By this I mean don't expect a plot that slowly reveals the sci-fi facts about why the aliens are here, what do they want, how does their technology works, how we can defeat them etc. In fact by the time you leave the movie there will probably be several unanswered questions about the science (fiction) of the whole thing and about how the plot comes to a resolution, but if you just take it easy and just allow yourself to be drawn into the movie and emotionally connect with the Tom Cruse and Dakota Fanning characters, you will leave the theater very pleased.
The movie has great action, Excellent special effects and truly terrorizing sound and ambiance effects of the alien invasion, but the subtle, entertaining and gripping element of the movie isn't really the "war", violence or a man vs. alien struggle, it is the fight to survive at all costs.
Tom Cruse's performance was great and Dakota Fanning did a particularly impressive job. Tim Robins also gave a very good and convincing performance in his small role. The cinematography and camera movements were more fluid than the average movie and just "different", but in a good way. In fact I think this was one of the main reasons I got drawn into the movie so much. Don't expect a thick complex plot or a well-formulated ending because you are not going to get it. I was very very amazed at how well the movie came across and how entertaining it was despite the weak plot.
Many people will probably be disappointed because they had the wrong the expectation walking into the movie. If you liked the movie "Signs," and found yourself absorbed by the terror of the movie and entertained by the subtle back-story aspects of it, you will probably enjoy this movie even more. Not that I am not trying to compare "War of the Worlds" to "Signs," because they are in fact very different, but if you got that movie and enjoyed it you will probably enjoy this a lot more, and if you didn't get it you should probably stay away from "War of the Worlds," or at least keep an open mind when you go to see it.