Never has two children wanted to make you run away screaming

Rating: 6/10 (3 February 2008)

Apparently Dakota has been "great" in other movies, but not in this one. Tom Cruise and the special effects along with a cameo by Tim Robbins gave good performances, but his "kids" in the film did not or had the worst writing and direction Spielberg has given in some time.
For those that will claim either was acting realistic...I would ask them to check the rest of the stuff in the film that is total B.S. that I am not going to pick at. (plot, physics, premise) So why does the daughter talk like she is 16-18 years old most of the time and even tells her brother to grow up and screams her head off constantly in the exact same level and tone no matter the context. It is beyond grating and ruined much of the film.
The son isn't much better who plays the troubled 1-tone emotional brooding teen that apparently decides to get himself killed a few times and unfortunately does not.
Then later the daughter runs away from her dad and decides to play hide and seek and then stands out in the open to be abducted. It is a rare movie where I wish the kids were killed off in the first scene since they are just pissing me off so much. Whoever these kids acting coaches are they should use this film as an example of what NOT to do.
And that doesn't even get into the plot crap that also bugged me, but much like Speed and it's premise...I would have gladly gone along with it if not for these damn kids!