A Harryhausen Sense of Wonder...Congratulations!

Rating: 9/10 (4 July 2005)

See this film for the technical advances alone.
The fan base of the Wells story is extensive worldwide. Byron Haskin who directed the 1953 Paramount version of this understood that to attempt a movie of this required and deserved the very best technical and visual effects available. (Gordon Jennings won an Oscar for his FX).
To ensure the sense of wonder embedded in the Welles book,(and to subscribe to that felt by readers when they read the book at the time of its publication over 100 years ago), requires the very best technical advances available to today's cinema. Last but not least, this story deserves no less than a full cinema presentation to convey the full visceral impact of H.G. Wells intentions. Anything less is an affront to the story and Wells' memory.
The sequences showing the first Tripod revealing itself near the beginning of this version are awe-inspiring and taken directly from the subconscious nightmare region we all harbour. It bypassed straight to the visceral. The machine was alien, towering, intent, evil and unstoppable. The sequence was breathtaking, conveying quickly that mankind was in real trouble from an unimaginably malevolent superior power. This is cinema. A masterly marriage of the technical to the emotional which was always attempted and oft-times actually achieved by the great Ray Harryhausen. (Not to mention Willis H O'Brien with the original King Kong).
Excellent performances from all the principals, notably Tom Cruise whose interpretation of a man trying to be a better father under duress was outstanding. Tom Cruise in "Minority Report" also showed a new side to this actor's talents. Mr Cruise has worked hard to get where he is today and is not afraid to take chances with his performances and it shows.It was not many years ago that "stars" of his magnitude would not have touched science-fiction cinema with a bargepole. Tim Robbins also deserves mention. Dakota Fanning, (from "Taken"), has a screen presence beyond her years.
A film is made up of "moments" with everything else serving as framing for those. Much like life.
Steven Spielberg obviously understands this.
See this film.
One related.
Haunting, jaw-dropping stuff.