Dakota Fanning is the new Jar Jar.

Rating: 3/10 (29 June 2005)

There are some memorable moments in this popcorn movie remake, but far fewer than the original film version. Dakota Fanning is to War of the Worlds as Jar Jar Binks is to The Phantom Menace. She often disrupts the film and an obviously entranced Spielberg serves up copious unnecessary close ups of her looking up. This film also has the annoying habit of coming to a complete stop at times. As most are at least familiar with the basics of the story, the extended pauses are awkward and grate. The aliens' design is disappointingly familiar. I expected something fresh and instead was served just a reworking of what has been shown, and executed more successfully, in other Sci-Fi fare. Dakota's screaming and carrying on is unbearable and may truly hurt repeat business.