Truly frightening and gripping.

Rating: 7/10 (21 July 2005)

Grade: A-
War of the Worlds is an incredible movie that shows why Spielberg is the best director alive today. The overall plot is relatively simple: aliens invade earth, family tries to survive. But, it's the way that Spielberg handles everything that makes this movie what it is.
WOTW wastes no time getting started. We see the tripods (the aliens vehicles) within the first 10 minutes, and we know their intent almost immediately. The first action sequence is gripping, among the best I've ever seen. The tripod death rays come within inches of Ray, vaporizing everyone around him as he sprints though human ash. This scene sets the tone for the movie which is darker and more frightening than anything we expect from Spielberg (except Schindler's List).
The visual effects, especially the gargantuan tripods, take the frightening feel of the movie to another level. But, the most spectacular visual sequence of the film does not have any visual effects in it at all. It's something I've come to expect of Spielberg now. The most spectacular shot in Minority Report, a movie filled with dazzling CG, is where John and Agatha are holding each other, their faces in opposite directions, while the propose opposing ideas. Similarly, in War of the Worlds, there is a sequence where Ray and his kids are speeding down the freeway, and the camera seamlessly moves around the vehicle without being dizzying (Ala LOTR).
The decision to make this movie from the point of view of Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) and his two kids, as opposed to Independence Day which chose multiple points of view, is the right decision. We get personal with Ray, Rachel (Dakota Fanning), and Robbie (Justin Chatwin) and so we care what happens to them in every second of every scene. Ray's fight to save his children is even more gripping and Rachel's terrified screams even more piercing. Additionally, the movie transitions between the loud and the quiet scenes extremely well. The moments Ray has with Rachel and Robbie are just as important and entertaining as when the Tripods wreak havoc.
A lot of people have a problem with the ending, saying that it came to suddenly. It did not come out of the blue for me, but then again I've read the book. However, my friends who had not read the book felt the same way I did. The only real problem I had with the ending is that even though it fit with the plot, it didn't tie in with the theme very well. All in all, forgivable for what is otherwise such an entertaining film.
I think many people had trouble in the quieter scenes because they had issues with Mr. Scientology and his ridiculous publicity stunt romance with Katie Holmes. Once the lights went down, I was able to forget about Tom Cruise and instead watch Ray Ferrier for the entire running length. Cruise has always been one of my favorite actors and he gives another great performance here. Nothing award deserving, but effective nonetheless. He can be as crazy as he wants off the screen as long as his work on the screen continues to be this good.
There is also the "it kid" of the moment, Dakota Fanning. If you've ever wondered why there's so much talk about how talented this 11 year old girl is, watch this movie. Dakota is able to truly become a character better than most actors, regardless of age. If you don't believe me, then watch War of the Worlds and then watch Man on Fire. If you still, don't believe me, maybe you'll believe Denzel Washington, who said, "Twice in my career I can remember doing a scene and finding myself just watching that other actor. Once was with Gene Hackman, and once with Dakota." Now that's a hell of a compliment.
War of the Worlds is the second best movie of the year after Batman Begins. It doesn't strive for the level of perfection that Batman does, but it is incredible in it's own right as a film that's much more than just great popcorn entertainment.