Why remake a movie if it doesn't improve on the original?!

Rating: Null/10 (29 June 2005)

I must say I found the movie utterly disappointing...
Why oh why have a director like Spielberg remake a movie that was perfect if he's just going to improve on the Special Effects (which understandably are better than the original's although not particularly groundbreaking). Nothing significant has been changed.
Spielberg's direction is so discreet, you have to wonder if anyone directed the movie at all so little are the changes from the original version.
Some scenes are directly ripped off (oh sorry... I forget... they're HOMAGES!) and Tom Cruise is his usual self... not especially at ease in the part but glamorous and well... a little over the top. The kids are cute, Tim Robbins is impeccable and Miranda Otto is underused... what else is new?
Other than that, it's Special Effects and alien movies clichés.