it's nice to see Spielberg back into science-fiction...

Rating: 8/10 (2 July 2005)

I was never a fan of the creative and unusual author H.G. Wells, but this wonderful depiction of The War of the Worlds, brought to life by the talented and unforgettable Steven Spielberg was truly grand! This is one of the better films this year so far, but this is not the best. It has eye-popping and amazing visuals that should be nominated for an Oscar (I think Star Wars will win though).
The film itself was stunningly vivid, scary, intense, captivating, and even bizarre with some of images. The aliens are in fact freaky looking, but if I had to describe them, they are a cross mix between the creatures in Stargate, and what the Queen alien looked like In James cameron's aliens.
The story is simple. An averaged man named Ray Ferrier (Cruise) who is divorced and has 2 kids he hardly knows are stuck with him for the weekend. As the average man who is resented by his kids, is involved in a terrible situation of tripod alien ships that are invading earth, which seemed to have been buried under the ground for many centuries before terrorize Earth, showing no mercy. He is forced to protect his own kids, instead of saving the world, like Master chief in Halo, at all cost.
I might add that the first action sequence with the tripod rising from the ground was truly a Spielberg masterpiece. So, from here on is all about survival. It is even more amazing how well Spielberg reveals humans selfishness for their own survival, versus working together as a team to live on. Spielberg shows our reactions in deadly situations quite accurately.
Anyway, the two hour film was slow in places, but it was full ride, and I actually felt like I was in the movie! it was so freaky, but not as freaky or intense as I hoped, like Aliens. The acting on the otherhand was crap. Especially by Fanning, who screamed the whole time, giving me a headache and Cruise was not a superhero like i expected, (I was never a fan of his, but he has shown himself worthy in acting). the real actor was Tom Robbins, who played a crazed man that lsot everything and wanted vengeance agaisnt the aliens.
And I might add that the fairy tale like ending was a bit ridiculous, but still it is worth seeing, and Spielberg has DEFINITELY pulled it off, unlike A.I. or for me Minority Report. Overall rating, 4/5.
This is not an invasion, its an extermination-Tim Robbins