Despite super effects, a huge budget, and the cinematic pedigree of alien-happy Steven Spielberg, this take on H.G. Wells's novel is basically a horror film packaged as a sci-fi thrill ride. Instead of a mad slasher, however, Spielberg (along with writers Josh Friedman & David Koepp) utilizes aliens hell-bent on quickly destroying humanity, and the terrifying results that prey upon adult fears, especially in the post-9/11 world. The realistic results could be a new genre, the grim popcorn thriller; often you feel like you're watching Schindler's List more than Spielberg's other thrill-machine movies (Jaws, Jurassic Park). The film centers on Ray Ferrier, a divorced father (Tom Cruise, oh so comfortable) who witnesses one giant craft destroy his New Jersey town and soon is on the road with his teen son (Justin Chatwin) and preteen daughter (Dakota Fanning) in tow, trying to keep ahead of the invasion. The film is, of course, impeccably designed and produced by Spielberg's usual crew of A-class talent. The aliens are genuinely scary, even when the film--like the novel--spends a good chunk of time in a basement. Readers of the book (or viewers of the deft 1953 adaptation) will note the variation of whom and how the aliens come to Earth, which poses some logistical problems. The film opens and closes with narration from the novel read by Morgan Freeman, but Spielberg could have adapted Orson Welles's words from the famous Halloween Eve 1938 radio broadcast: "We couldn't soap all your windows and steal all your garden gates by tomorrow night, so we did the best next thing: we annihilated the world." --Doug Thomas

War of the Worlds at Amazon.com

The Soundtrack	The War of the Worlds (1953)	War of the Worlds - The Complete First Season (TV series)
Classic Sci-Fi Movies and Their Remakes	Aliens Invade on DVD	The Prog-rock Opera (no kidding)

A good remake

I actually liked this movie. I thought Tom Cruise portrayed his character very well. Dakota Fanning was phenomenal. I thought the original version played a little better, it was also a sign of its time, just as this version is. You expect the story to play out exactly how it does in each version. Initially, I must admit, I was less than thrilled that a remake of this was being done. The original was so good for so long, how can you want to remake such a classic? But it was done very well. And this is saying something; I hate remakes. I am a purist when it comes to certain things. It would be like someone remaking the original Star Wars or Casablanca. When you have such fond memories of the original, you do not want anyone trying to reinterpret it. But, like I say, it was very well done. It was not a rehash of the original, it was its own movie, based on a common story. Or, it's a reinterpretation of a story based on now 50 years of cultural change. When the re-remake gets done in 50 years, someone will be trying to explain this to their audience of the time, saying how it reflects their times.
So, to recap, updated storyline, still great, special effects awesome, sit down, grab popcorn, enjoy.

Not Perfect, But Very Enjoyable

Despite some negative reviews, I watched this movie and was very surprised. It is a good, entertaining movie. Tom Cruise does a good job as well as Dakota Fanning (per usual). Yes, there are some plot holes in here and yes, the ending seemed a little forced, but overall, there is a lot of tension in this movie. Spielberg, as always, creates special effects that capture the imagination. I loved the alien hand scene and thought that it looked cool. The movie dragged a little bit in the basement scene and underutilized Tim Robbins - could have done without it. But I thought it captured the fear of the situation very well throughout the movie. One disappointment was a lot of unneccesary language (GD and S words), so the edited for TV version would be better to watch. Very entertaining, though, and worth a watch. And unlike some Spielberg movies, which are a half and hour too long, this one clocks in under two hours.

Great movie for this genre

What a scary fun ride!

And I don't care if Tom Cruise is a little wacky when it come to his personal beliefs... he is a great actor, who doesn't get enough respect professionally. I always enjoy his work.