Another Birthday Party for Spielberg

Rating: Null/10 (23 December 2006)

Poor Steven S.
It seems like the famed auteur has celebrated another Birthday Party with this one. I'm starting to think that with films like this, he's literally buying himself yet another birthday cake, with a ton of presents to follow that has he has wrapped himself and then opened to some sort of faux surprise and astonishment. His films are becoming little gifts to himself . . .It's sad to see him put his name on every film despite whether he's a co-producer, or executive producer for specific films. The sad part is that auteurism plays a big part in his career whether or not he's accredited with the writing/directing of his films. How many people can honestly say that they know half of the people who have written films like the War Of The Worlds remake ? Hmmm? If you understand Auteurism, it means that producers like Steven S. literally sign their names to specific films despite whether or not they really have any real personal entanglement in the movies.
War Of The Worlds is no different, but it is scary to note that Steven S. didn't seem to watch out for this one as far as the film's story unfolded. Aside from the horrible fact that there was an attempt to modernize and retool a classic film, (and more importantly, a classic novel. . .)Spielberg didn't seem attentive to the fact that there was a considerably awkward ending to this film, not to mention stale characters, plot holes and recycled audio-visual/stylistic effects. How can a person who supposedly is such a figure of cinematic merit can sign their names to films like War Of The Worlds. We all know there's money in it, of course, but honestly, most people in a middle-class society,usually read the small print before signing their names to anything. . .which is funny because it doesn't seem to occur to Steve S. who makes an untold fortune on people who are satiated by films that simply use high-tech visual effects.
As far as the movie is concerned, Cruise and the rest of the characters are either wooden or uncompromisingly static and uninspiring. Cruise plays a character who represents most of his all-time functional roles. He never shows the least bit of actual human character, and his actions, expressions, etc. seem brutally forced and egotistically improvisational. As far as most of the others are concerned, the actors seem to roll all their emotions into one, never showing the least bit of deviation in realistic tones, facial expressions, actions, etc. Even in scenes/moments of peril, the actors don't seem to follow through on any inkling that these people are actually running scared of aliens! Due to this, they never maintain a real sense of tension even considering that there are people running around and screaming.
It almost seems analogous to baboons running around screaming because of a rumor of some banana shortages in the jungle. It almost seems as if the characters are too linear and have no real reservations about what's happening in the movie.
Not only that, but the high-tech visuals don't do any better. High-speed action and state of the art CG doesn't necessarily create a sense of conflict, tension and active obstruction.
Not only this, but the film seems like a re-creation of Independence Day without the true feeling that this conflict is affecting the rest of the world. Even the Aliens that are present in War Of The Worlds physically resemble the ones in Independence Day. The chance to actually make a remake (although not recommended) was horribly executed on behalf of the managing departments working on this film. The chance to show a remote sense of creativity in this film was lost on the fact that we understand extra-terrestrials to be these figures that are almost amphibious/reptilian in many ways, and are more creature-like than we are. It might have been better off not understanding what these supposed creatures looked like, because what would it matter anymore in a history of American cinema filled with aliens hell-bent on unattributed destruction ?
The original movie was at least funny considering that it was a film realistically taken out of perspective, rather than someone trying to make something so improbable come to life with the highest standard in special effects. . .which was done in the remake.
Also, for those who never read the book, you would have never guessed that the aliens died of an unknown germ, disease, bacteria etc. if it weren't for Morgan Freeman summing-it-up just before the credits. So in turn, It's a really bad execution of disparate or even legible continuity.
Until Americans get over the fact that they're not getting their money's worth if they don't see the best visual effects, movies like this will continue to foster millions/billions of dollars. Seriously, don't you think producers would rather pay cheaper prices for scenes of (what they call) "tension" and "conflict" through CG rather than actually pay their writers more money ? Either or, they could have saved money and done without the cost of trite visual effects.
I'd say, all-in-all, this film is like listening to Heroin Music.