Fails to live up to expectations.

Rating: 3/10 (27 July 2005)

What a huge disappointment. It seems that the bigger the advertising budget, the worse the movie! The ending was appalling and a total let down. Tom Cruise is wooden and unsympathetic. I didn't care whether he lived or died. Dakota Fanning overacts her little heart out, which is a shame as she is normally great. With such a woefully thin plot, the special effects were just not good enough to carry this film. About the only thing I did like was the sound effect that let the viewer know that an alien tripod was nearby (similar effect to a pending shark attack in 'Jaws'). I think Steven Spielberg made this one by numbers, as his usual creativity was sadly lacking. Worth a look when the DVD has been discounted, otherwise don't waste your money.