Review of War of the Worlds (2005) by Juan M — 23 Oct 2013

The movie was quite enjoyable; a bit of a drag and sometimes lacking of character build up, but still enjoyable. Although unaware of how the 1958 version or the H.G. Wells storyline goes (due to it's confusing old English language I had to decipher every five sentences), this was quite a thrilling movie to watch and did have it's suspenseful moments.

Especially it's ending which at first I was like most people saying "huh?" However watching it a couple more times did get me understand how the end became what it was and grew to appreciate it to an extent.

The acting was good at some parts,the effects were good, and the design of the alien tripods were not quite too original but did show how threatening it can be. However, the movie's faults begin with Tom Cruise's character and his kids.

At first their anger towards their neglecting father was justifiable, but even during a freaking apocalypse they start getting annoying by the fact that although their father is trying his best to protect them and trying to redeem himself, they still blame him or just argue with them over giving up a car while being threatened.

This just gets me to hate the kids more then the father. Even at the end not any real good relationship is built up between them that shows if they finally accepted their father. This also brings me to the point where I believe that this is not Dakota Fanning's best, let alone good, work.

She is a very talented actress, especially when she was young, and im glad she is still acting, but this is not her best. I would say her worst, but not her best. Her character is always in trouble and fails to move out the way unless her brother or dad pulled her out.

She was never given any memorable strengths, no good development, and making her character just annoying or boring at points. I don't know if I blame her completely because of it's just the character than I would blame the writing but I think she should have put more effort into it.

Tom Cruise was sometimes boring even in the beginning but that's his character, a father who is just separated from his kids literally and figuratively and is just a broke down loser with nothing to lose until the invasion happens.

However when the suspense scenes happen like the basement and stream scene, the two can make it believable and eerie for the audience, or for me at least. By the way, am I the only one who found the scene where the father and son playing catch as both wear some interesting hats funny.

But nonetheless, the action was good, the settings were good, the premise was great, the moral was okay, and the suspense was awesome and chilling. That's why I'm giving it at the least three stars.