Unexpectedly good and harrowing

Rating: 7/10 (9 February 2006)

I had preconceived notions about this movie. Dakota Fanning and Tom Cruise certainly didn't strike me as a winning team. But when I finally sat down to watch it the imagery and content made a brutal punch to the gut all wrapped up in fantastic special effects and a harrowing view of human behavior in the face of crisis.
The acting was superb even if at times the script seemed daunted. The themes presented in the face of survival were completely believable. The characterization was lovely, though to be honest the men stole the show. Tom Cruise was excellent as the grungy dead beat dad turned compassionate parent and the son (played by Justin Chatwin) was every bit the picture of disillusioned youth/white knight syndrome. Dakota Fanning added the finishing touch to the psychological make up of the trio by being the icon of innocence that the two men tried to protect from what was happening around them.
I very much enjoyed the flick despite the absolute harshness it portrayed. I'd have liked to have seen a stronger or more drawn out ending to the alien invasion, but was very pleased to see a happy ending.
A warning to parents though: the rating is only PG-13 because of the lack of outright gore. There's death by the train loads though and its put in an upfront ugly view several times through the picture to reinforce the desperation of the scenes.