Good book, fair movie, lousy science.

Rating: 7/10 (16 July 2005)

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
This film, somewhat based on the H.G.Wells classic book, fails it's namesake because of poor writing, bad science, horrible continuity and unbelievable characters. First let me say that I was surprised that Steven Spielburg would copy someone else's work, namely the movie 'Them' (not the one with the giant ants. In that movie the aliens traveled by use of lightning. Samething with this film. And the idea of the alien machines already being here is ludicrous. Someone would have discovered them because of excavation, exploration, or just the changing of the planet due to earthquakes and erosion. Spielberg should have used H.G. Wells premise from the start. Other flaws in continuity is that when all electrical devices stop because of some so-called electromagnetic pulse, why did it not affect video cameras? And the idea that cars won't start because of the solenoid burning out wouldn't stop cars already running. To stop them the electronics in the vehicle would need to be fried and if that was the case, how could Tom Cruises character start the minivan? And since diesel power vehicles don't need a spark, why aren't they all running? Next time Steven that you decide to make a movie based on the book, please follow the book.