War of the Worlds DVD: Review By kaismith

I'd heard so much hype before the release about Steven Spielberg's remake of the 1953 film also titled War of the Worlds, which was based on H. G. Well's novel. I am a big fan of The Time Machine, but I was also curious to see some of Spielberg's work. The much adored Tom Cruise stars in War of the Worlds as Ray Ferrier a working class weekend dad who lives in New Jersey (this already sounds familiar. Indeed it is a Spielberg trademark for a dad to be estranged from his ex-wife and have a strained relationship with his kids). When what seems to be lightening strikes one area multiple times and cracks the concrete giant mechanical tripod machines run by Aliens rise from the Earth and begin attacking civilians, starting a wave of mass destruction. Ray must flee with his children and does everything in his power to defend his son Robbie (Justin Chatwin) and daughter Rachel (Dakota Fanning).

War of the Worlds was Cruise's sixth consecutive film to break the 100 million dollar barrier, domestically since 2000. In total, it was his thirteenth film to break that barrier. Man, that's a lot of money for being ok. I still don't know why actors get paid so much and teachers get paid such crappy salaries. Not to be too harsh on Cruise (who despite what Oprah and her fans think of him is not the greatest actor I've seen. He has played either the same roles or similar ones for the majority of his career, although there have been a few gems in the ruff like Born on the Fourth of July and the high celebrated Jerry Maguire. But I want to see Cruise play a character that steps out of the cute hero role and into something grittier. I want to see him play a crack head or a racist so I can see what he is really made of (yes, I said it ... now pick your jaw up off the ground).

Although I have heard a lot about the previous film, I have not seen it yet nor read the book, so this review won't focus so much on a comparison of the two. Overall, the film was engaging but I found a lot of Ray's reactions to events were unrealistic, such as when the tripods raised out of the ground; he just stood there and watched it. Any normal person I know would run for safety ASAP. Also after he ran home, the way he acted with his children was a bit strange. Many would rush the kids out of the house immediately and just get what they could grab and book it. I understand that he was trying not to create chaos around him with the kids when he jumped in a nearby van, but the conversation with that neighborhood guy dragged on way too long and a parent in distress would have booked it much faster than he did.

While the struggle between the father son relationships is engaging, I appreciated through tragedy the way Ray matures into a father who literally does anything when tested to protect his daughter, such as when he encounters Ogilvy (Tim Robbins). His character was grounded and believable when he displayed moments of human frailty, such as the handful of times he break down and cries. In such a tragic situation it is necessary. Cruise did a great job pulling it off.

Many of the scenes were well done compositionally such as the one when Ray runs out of the ravaged basement after Rachael and stands on a hill over looking a vision of blood and red vein-like vines covering the ground completely and almost everything else. It was heart wrenching, yet poetic.

Very disappointed in the lack of special features. I expected more.

Designing the Enemy: Tripods and Aliens

While it is informative and gives light to the thought process and design put into the making of the aliens and tripods, it isn't the most engaging. Though I did like how they tried to stay true to Well's novel but also took a different route to set this film aside from the many 50's sci-fi alien flicks that share commonalities which are so familiar to the genre.

1:84:1 Widescreen Edition. The special effects were admirable. The shots and transitions were that of Spielberg's familiar style. I liked the fluid design of the tripods. They were scary because of their size at times, but I found myself noticing how elegantly they moved. Strange but true! They are the first graceful enemies I've seen in an alien film. I did find their metallic machinery presence cold and disconnecting, which also helped me not mind that their motives weren't addressed at all in the film. It was in the back of my mind why is this happening>, but I thought it was more believable that there was no explanation since one would be too easy and really cliché. At least with the mystery, the viewer's minds can run ramped in guessing the possible whys keeping them continually engaged.

English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 with subtitles in French. The score done by John Williams, one of the most widely recognized composers who has known and worked with Spielberg for years. Their relationship began when Williams approached Spielberg to compose the music to the then young director's feature debut, The Sugarland Express. Ever since then Williams has written the score to all of his films excluding The Color Purple (he had Quincy Jones do that one). Williams is an expert at creating sensitive music, which capture the very essence of a movie moment. Nothing less is accomplished in this film.

The cover reveals a tight shot of Cruise looking over his shoulder to reveal a small fraction of Fanning's frightened face as she grips Cruise's shoulder with a mitten. That image fades into the title and just below it is what seems to be the very bottom of a red sphere hovering over a street with generic houses. On both the sides of the street, houses seem to disappear into the orange haze emanating from the sphere. From the bottom, red vines appear to inch towards the sphere into the distance. The back includes a story synopsis, film stills and the special features listed.

The ending of War of the Worlds is a little too benevolent and rushed for me, but it is a resolution. If you are into those types of endings, then this will satisfy your needs. I did like the irony behind the death of the aliens because it was not human fire arms which killed them but ultimately nature and the common cold. It is a nice homage to H.G. Well's resolution and one to nature as well. It also helps us all remember that we are tied to this planet and while we are intelligent life forms and have discovered technology, we can easily be saved or crushed by that which has created us -- nature.

is definitely worth a viewing whether you have read the book, seen the '53 version, are a fan of Spielberg's films (though this is not his best work) or just want to see Tom Cruise trump in yet another blockbuster.