Good enough for an evening at the movies

Rating: Null/10 (29 June 2005)

Simple plot, aliens, and Dakota fanning. I know what you're thinking, its a flop. Well I'm happy to report that it is quite the contrary. While its certainly not one of Spielberg's best works, it is certainly good enough to see at least once in the theater.
The plot goes something like this: Ray Ferrier is divorced. He lives in New Jersey and today happens to be his weekend to spend with his kids, Robby and Rachel. Unfortunately he's not that great a father and his kids don't really like him that much. Things start to go awry and before you know it alien tripods (activated by alien controlled lightning storms) start to rise from the ground and start attacking the city. While this happens all electronic devices stop working and Ray happens to get the only working car and takes his kids on a quest first to their mother and then just for survival. Thats about it. Its not exactly thought provoking, but since when has a Spielberg film have a great plot? (besides Minority Report of course) The movie can best be looked at in two ways. One way is as an alien movie, and the other is a movie where all the characters are hopeless and panicked trying to find any way to survive. When the movie sticks to the survival aspect it is quite successful. There is a scene where a group of people violently attack Ray and his kids because they are the only people with a car. I wont tell you how that scene ends but it is quite unnerving. Tons of scenes of human desperation make this movie quite interesting, and at some points very suspenseful and almost scary. The other parts where its simply the aliens attacking are less impressive. While the effects are quite good, spectacular at some points, it never is really too exciting. Once the machines start picking people off, the horror of whats happening seems to go down. The reason is that since we don't know these people so we don't care about them when they meet their demise. When the aliens are specifically attacking Ray and the kids, it becomes much better.
Now lets talk about the characters. Ray is completely unlikable for the first part of the film. He is ignorant and a horrible father. Its not Tom Cruise's fault, he does the best he can with what he's given, but nevertheless its not until the middle that we begin to like him. At this point, however, he's left to keep yelling orders and try to calm down his daughter for the rest of the film. Justin Chatwin's Robbie is a rebellious teenager who refuses to listen to his father. The part is well acted and I liked him even though he was a jerk. Dakota Fanning as Rachel is quite annoying. Her character is claustrophobic and constantly a cry baby. Even when the aliens aren't attacking she finds something to cry and scream (in terror) about. Needless to say of all the characters, I liked her the least.
The problems of the film are these. First we have no idea why the aliens are attacking us. I guess you could just say that they want to rule the planet but why? Do they want our resources, or do they just want to cause us trouble? The film doesn't make an attempt to answer this. As I said before I just wanted to shut Dakota Fanning up. Many questions about the plot are also left unanswered (those i will not go through because of spoilers) The movie does seem to last a little long, and along with that the ending seems rushed, Finally, speaking of the ending, its typical Spielberg, meaning its a happy ending meant to be uplifting. It would have been much more effective if it had a bitter-sweet ending instead.
All said, the movie is quite good. There are parts that are quite suspenseful and moving. Although the plot leaves something to be desired, this is a popcorn movie. Just sit back and enjoy. (Also if you have a girlfriend, bring her, you'll be in for some cuddling time when the "scary stuff" hits) Star rating: 3.5 out of 5