Absolutely great movie

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2006)

I haven't read Wells' book. This was anyway happening in contemporary world, and some changes must have been made to the original story.
As in the other "dark" scifi films of Spielberg: "Minority Report" and "A.I.", the visuals are very beautiful and well made, just like everything else in this movie also. Spielberg must be the biggest film maker today in many ways, and in some way also the most important. He's the real mainstream voice of the world. Cruise is very good, of course, has he ever been anything else? Also Dakota Fanning, although I had some suspicions towards her, because of the "child-actor" thing. This must be her best role this far.
What was surprising to me, considering the story of the film, was that it wasn't in any way made to represent some "problems of today": The aliens aren't symbolizing anything, they're just aliens, and the horror comes from the story itself. That's a great and brave choice.
I think Spielberg has really become a movie director in the last years. His newer movies are deep, thought and important. Deep respect to him.