War of the Worlds

It's very rare that I go to a movie within 2 days of it's release but when it's a Spielberg film and science fiction at that, my favorite genre, it really was easy to make an exception…Also the fact that my daughter had the day off and invited me to a matinee it was a no brainer that I would be happy to go with her.


Another factor was that though I have been a bit dismayed by all the Tom Cruise hoopla going on I still regard him as an exceptionally fine actor and knew this would be one movie worthy of his talents as well as that little genius of an actress Dakota Fanning. One more reason was the story itself…I'd read the original book by H.G.Wells, saw the first movie and even heard that chilling broadcast, on tape, narrated by Orson Wells many years ago. My curiosity and my eagerness to see this movie were certainly rewarded.


This is a scary and terrifying movie and even if you think you know what's coming, as the story unfolds the fear takes hold and you just can't help but be transported into those terrifying scenes of this Alien invasion.


Tom Cruises character Ray Ferrier, a dockworker, divorced from his wife and not the most attentive father to his two children, Rachel, (Dakota Fanning) and his son Robbie (Justin Chatwin), closer to a teenager than a child, are thrown together in this story when his ex-wife leaves the kids in his charge as she goes off for a weekend away with her new husband...He promises to take good care of them and return them to her safe and sound. And so that is the ultimate goal throughout the film. You can tell the kids are estranged from Ray and not to willing to spend this time with him but they have no choice.


It doesn't take long before the first horrific events take place right in front of Rays house. Strange lighting appears in the sky, first as something to watch and wonder at but soon becoming a threat to all who are there as the earth literally opens up in front of them...Simultaneously around the world these events occur as well.


The entire movie seems to unfold through Ray's eyes as he does his utmost to protect himself and his children and keep them out of harms way, which nearly proves impossible as layer upon layer of this story comes to pass. When the aliens arrive, with what seems like the end of the world as their goal, it is terrifying to watch. The panicked crowd scenes were as horrific as the aliens themselves, portraying how easy it is for man to turn against man in the most insidious ways. As Ray tries to make his way to what he perceives to be a safer destination we watch in horror as mankind stands in his way time and again. One thing that did bother me was how often the kids just didn't listen to him, ignoring his pleas to stay together or just to stay put. They seemed to struggle every bit against him as what they were running from. Some of the scariest scenes are when Ray tries to keep them together from the danger of the crowds and of course from the creatures. One horrific scene in which he has to make a choice between Rachel and Robbie as to which one to save, literally sent chills down my spine…Another, when Rachel asks, is it the Terrorists? Yes, it shows the fear in the world we live in today. Hopefully the scenario played out in this movie never even comes close to reality.


Another moment that will stay in your memory are the scenes in which Tom Robbins appears as he mysteriously plucks Ray and Rachel out of harms way…The moments we spend with them in a dark and foreboding basement are every bit as terrifying as any other part of the movie…Robbins is outstanding in this role and the scenes he's in with Cruise are terrifying with very little dialog…The emotions shown in all three of their faces were incredible.


Spielberg, the power behind this film, plays with our emotions and fears in every scene, portraying man's inhumanity to man and the ultimate destructive forces attacking the earth relentless in the fear they instilled on the screen and to the audience. The special effects were amazing and terrifying at the same time. The aliens and their war machines, astonishing as they plunder our planet and seem to pursue Cruise and his family as there didn't seem to be anywhere for them to hide. These creatures were certainly not E.T or like the aliens in any other of Spielberg's movies and not at all like the aliens in the first movie…They seemed to come to life right before our eyes with a vast array of realistic movements.


I don't want to give much more away especially for the generation of moviegoers who haven't seen the other movie or have not read or book. I do want to note that I did think the ending a bit mild as it didn't really offer a solid explanation of what ultimately happens to these terrifying invaders of the earth, especially, as I said, for those not familiar with the original story.


One little side note to those that have seen the first movie; at the end of the movie keep an eye out for a surprise appearance of one of the characters from that film..A nice Spielbergien touch I must say


War of the Worlds comes highly recommended in my humble opinion. The acting was superb, the story terrifying and compelling. A must see for all who love this genre of films and who have the high regard, as I do, for anything by Steven Spielberg and his movie making magic.