War Of The Worlds

After directing E.T. and Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Steven Spielberg has a far more menacing alien on his hands. In this retelling of H. G. Wells' alien attack on Earth the aliens are out to destroy and exterminate mankind. No cuddly aliens making 'phone calls home this time!

The story starts with a violent lightning storm that shakes the ground causing power cuts and stopping all cars in their tracks. Witnessed by Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), a dockland worker, and his estranged daughter and son, they realise that this is no ordinary storm. Ray goes out into the street where his baffled neighbours have gathered. At an intersection the lightening has left a gaping hole in the ground. The crowd gather but panic ensures when the ground around them starts cracking and a huge alien structure emerges. The first alien Tripod attack starts...

Initial bewilderment and curiosity turns to fear and, then, shock and panic, as the horror of the situation is realised. The fear and panic of the people is captured very well as they flee for their lives. The movie avoids any big military battles but instead concentrates on the people and in particular one small family, Ray Ferrier and his young daughter Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and teenage son Robbie (Justin Chatwin). Ray who hasn't been much of a father in the past must now try to protect his kids.

The story doesn't look for a hero to save the planet but focuses on the theme of protecting your kids and family. Tom Cruise is excellent in the part of Ray Ferrier. He really portrays the shock and panic that the people experience. Surprisingly, this makes for some very funny moments when Ray is emotionally 'all over the place' but struggles to keep control and to make sense of things while trying to reassure his children that everything will be ok.  Meanwhile life as they know it disintegrates around them. You can really understand the fear and frustration of the characters. Dakota Fanning plays Rachel and if the aliens don't scare you the shrieks from the 11 year old will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! She is excellent and by having a young girl fleeing the destruction makes the story more horrifying. Justin Chatwin plays Rachel's teenager brother Robbie.

Tim Robbins plays the part of a traumatised survivor hiding in the basement of his farm where Ray takes refuge but he soon begins to wonder if he would have been better taking his chances against the Tripods!

The special effects in the movie are brilliant. The alien Tripods look menacing as they move across the land destroying everything in their path but it is more the speed and merciless slaughter of the attack that will frighten. The sound is also excellent and the noise in scenes like the lightening storm will make you jump.

Bottom Line: Great special effects but also some great acting that produces real characters. Avoids many of the clichés that are found in disaster movies. Some scenes will be too tense and frightening for young children.

If you enjoy War Of The Worlds you might also enjoy  Signs,  The Forgotten, or  The Day After Tomorrow.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:

STEVEN SPIELBERG: A.I. (Artificial Intelligence),  Catch Me If You Can,  Minority Report, The Terminal.

TOM CRUISE: Minority Report,  The Last Samurai,  Vanilla Sky,  Collateral.

DAKOTA FANNING: Trapped,  Hide And Seek,  Man On Fire.

TIM ROBBINS: Mystic River.

MIRANDA OTTO: Flight Of The Phoenix

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Genre: Sci-Fi/Action/Drama

Director: Steven Spielberg

Certificate: War Of The Worlds was rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of twelve years of age and upwards. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. Violence =  moderate. Drugs = none. Sex/nudity = none. Language = mild. Some scenes might disturb some younger viewers.

Official Movie Website: War Of The Worlds

~ Main Cast ~

Tom Cruise

Dakota Fanning

Tim Robbins

Miranda Otto

Justin Chatwin