War of the World (B+ or 3/4 stars)
It is 2005 & Earth is being invaded by alien tripod machines (weapons of mass destruction) in 'War of the Worlds', a sci-fi film directed by Steven Spielberg. This film, along with the original 'War of the Worlds', & an Orson Welles radio broadcast (1938), is based on the popular novel by H.G. Wells. The film is viewed through Ray Ferrier's (& his family) point of view; Ray is played by Tom Cruise. We see how his family runs & hides for survival. The movie has some plot glitches here & there, but I would be lying if I said I didn't thoroughly enjoy it. In fact, it's one of the few films (recently) that has keeps my attention throughout; I was on the edge of my seat. That said, I also don't think it quite lives up to the enormous hype surrounding it. I liked it a lot, but it's not one of Spielberg's greats.
According to a voice over narrated by Morgan Freeman (in both the beginning & end of the film), these aliens had been planning this invasion for a million years. Why? Probably because their own planet had exhausted its resources. They would come to Earth to feed on humans for harvesting and to start anew. Or perhaps their planet was in its dying stages. The movie never really specifies this, but it doesn't have to. The tripods are planted under the Earth's surface & initiated by an electrical storm which the aliens create. Therefore, the obvious plot drive is: how to extinguish the intruders before they extinguish the humans.
There are some fascinating & eerily realistic scenes where the Ferriers are trying to dodge the impeding tripods. One such scene involves the protagonists trying to drive through a mob of crazed people as they try to run from the tripods themselves. Another scene involves a mass of people trying to out-dodge the tripods while departing on a ferryboat. This particular scene depicts complete hysteria with bone-chilling accuracy. Another scene involves Ray & his daughter Rachel (Dakota Fanning) playing a game of cat & mouse with a tripod in a small, dank basement. You never knew what was around the next corner. This feeling of suspense stays with you through the whole movie & was the real reason why I like it so much. Portions of this film are truly horrifying.
The noise that the tripods make as they flee across field & valley towards their prey is spine-tingling. A distinct and brutal 'roar' would be heard & you knew they were close by. It's a sound that is very reminiscent of the duh-dum ... duh-dum's from Jaws when the shark was near. Spielberg does a great job of making us fear both what we see on screen, & also, what we DON'T see. It's the stuff that nightmares are made of. What didn't I like about the film? It starts a little slow & ends a little abruptly; almost anti-climactic. And Morgan Freeman's abbreviated explanation for why things turn out the way they do may not catch on with casual viewers. A slightly longer film would have been appreciated; particularly to conclude the film with more polish. And on a miniscule note, there's one scene where everything in sight is demolished, except, of course, for the getaway van that Ray & his children are utilizing. Coincidence? I suppose.
As Ray Ferrier, Tom Cruise is solid; no surprise there. Ray is slightly immature, & not close with his children. But the consequences that this movie provides bring him closer to them than he could ever imagine. I like Tom Cruise, but really, anyone could have played Ray Ferrier. In fact, Tim Robbins - who plays a sort of nut job - could have played Ray just as well, if not better. Dakota Fanning is quite the child prodigy; though I hear just as many people praise her as I hear them jeer her (either she's a fantastic little actress, or a bit precocious). I have never found her annoying, creepy, or otherwise. And I think she portrays a typical 10 yr. old perfectly here; smart-alecky sometimes, & a shrieky scared little girl, at others.
The production is spectacular (the sets, gore, sound work & effects are superb). But no film could realistically live up to high expectations this film had. I find more & more that these big Hollywood films are getting hyped to the point of nausea; it's just a shame. I guess I expected just a little more from Spielberg. But while I wanted more plot & character depth to compliment the strong, visceral blow he does provide … I had a great time watching this.
According to a voice over narrated by Morgan Freeman (in both the beginning & end of the film), these aliens had been planning this invasion for a million years. Why? Probably because their own planet had exhausted its resources. They would come to Earth to feed on humans for harvesting and to start anew. Or perhaps their planet was in its dying stages. The movie never really specifies this, but it doesn't have to. The tripods are planted under the Earth's surface & initiated by an electrical storm which the aliens create. Therefore, the obvious plot drive is: how to extinguish the intruders before they extinguish the humans.
There are some fascinating & eerily realistic scenes where the Ferriers are trying to dodge the impeding tripods. One such scene involves the protagonists trying to drive through a mob of crazed people as they try to run from the tripods themselves. Another scene involves a mass of people trying to out-dodge the tripods while departing on a ferryboat. This particular scene depicts complete hysteria with bone-chilling accuracy. Another scene involves Ray & his daughter Rachel (Dakota Fanning) playing a game of cat & mouse with a tripod in a small, dank basement. You never knew what was around the next corner. This feeling of suspense stays with you through the whole movie & was the real reason why I like it so much. Portions of this film are truly horrifying.
The noise that the tripods make as they flee across field & valley towards their prey is spine-tingling. A distinct and brutal 'roar' would be heard & you knew they were close by. It's a sound that is very reminiscent of the duh-dum ... duh-dum's from Jaws when the shark was near. Spielberg does a great job of making us fear both what we see on screen, & also, what we DON'T see. It's the stuff that nightmares are made of. What didn't I like about the film? It starts a little slow & ends a little abruptly; almost anti-climactic. And Morgan Freeman's abbreviated explanation for why things turn out the way they do may not catch on with casual viewers. A slightly longer film would have been appreciated; particularly to conclude the film with more polish. And on a miniscule note, there's one scene where everything in sight is demolished, except, of course, for the getaway van that Ray & his children are utilizing. Coincidence? I suppose.
As Ray Ferrier, Tom Cruise is solid; no surprise there. Ray is slightly immature, & not close with his children. But the consequences that this movie provides bring him closer to them than he could ever imagine. I like Tom Cruise, but really, anyone could have played Ray Ferrier. In fact, Tim Robbins - who plays a sort of nut job - could have played Ray just as well, if not better. Dakota Fanning is quite the child prodigy; though I hear just as many people praise her as I hear them jeer her (either she's a fantastic little actress, or a bit precocious). I have never found her annoying, creepy, or otherwise. And I think she portrays a typical 10 yr. old perfectly here; smart-alecky sometimes, & a shrieky scared little girl, at others.
The production is spectacular (the sets, gore, sound work & effects are superb). But no film could realistically live up to high expectations this film had. I find more & more that these big Hollywood films are getting hyped to the point of nausea; it's just a shame. I guess I expected just a little more from Spielberg. But while I wanted more plot & character depth to compliment the strong, visceral blow he does provide … I had a great time watching this.