Turn a classic story of Alien invasion into family squabble drama

Rating: 5/10 (7 July 2017)

Another Hollywood remake, why?
Actually I thought this should be a really good film.
I loved the 1953 War of the Worlds (and smiled at the special effects) I also remember listening spell bound to Richard Burton narrating the musical version.
You have older classics, from a classic book. Just take the 'classic aspects' and add modern technology it has to be an amazing film?
errr, No.
The film starts of well, Aliens invade, Cruise escaping with family etc.
Where it gets silly, is the script writers decide to make Cruise the focal point of the story.
Hint: The Alien invasion and mankinds fight is the 'focal point'. The clue is in the title "War of The Worlds" not "War between Father & Son"
Cruise's family squabbles with his teenage son and younger daughter become the 'main event' and the alien invasion relegated to a backdrop.
It gets really stupid when the son decides to run off and 'fight' the aliens. Duh !(unbelievable) as he has seen trained troops with latest equipment and technology anihalated with ease by the aliens.
However, it gives an excuse to focus on Cruise and his search for idiot son.
Tim robbins gives a passing nod to the original story but back to Cruise.
At the end we are shown the aliens have all died of Earth germs, almost as a 'by the way' offering so as not to detract from Cruise.
This should have been a great film. Instead another Hollywood mediocre remake on a par with 'The Magnificent 7'. 5/10