Great Remake

Rating: 8/10 (19 July 2005)

This is a great remake of the 1953 flick. Of course all SF fans are aware of the story, aliens come down and invade the earth, yada, yada. And, of course, the special effects are superb which is what you would expect from a Spielberg blockbuster. However, the earlier film was also that for its time. But it had something else, a separate story line emphasizing characters and a commentary on the times. Spielberg has stayed true to this vision as the Tom Cruise character undergoes a significant personal development during the course of the movie. The ending was essentially the same as the 1953 film which, without giving away too much for the ones who have not seen that one, was actually a little disappointing since one might have expected an update given the advances in science since then. (you'd think the aliens would have scouted out the earth life forms better than they have - necessitating a DNA/genetic engineering response perhaps??). In any case, Dakota Fanning was great and even the son played well by Justin Chatwin was a good addition despite what many people think. Tim Robbins puts in a great albeit brief appearance in the middle of the film. Think of this film as the 1953 film transported into our time. To make this cycle complete, Gene Barry and Ann Robinson the leads from the older film make a cameo in this one.