Review of War of the Worlds (2005) by Colinb. — 23 Jan 2006

I gave this movie a 7/10. The movie itself is ok, however it had some "problems" with it that I found hurt the movie quite badly. First off, you know how you get those movies such as this one where someone (usually aliens) is trying to kick the human races ass, and it happens - so you sit through it for maybe half or even two thirds of the film, then you get the payoff of the satisfaction of watching us "get our own back"? Well, this is one of those rare movies where you never get this payoff.

(it's a bit like the Animatrix Episode "The 2nd Renaissance" or even the Matrix Trilogy itself) What you're treated to is the human race having it's ass handed to it for 90 minutes then the attackers basically just die, at the hands of a virus (I think it was the common cold.

.. :|). The only remotely satisfying bit of them taking any flack is near the end when one is already half dead and the army take it out with rocket launchers. The other problem is that the film seems to lose it's way about half way through, with a pretty pointless bit involiving a nutter hiding in his basement, though this part does have some quite well executed suspense momemts.

As always with Spielberg you can expect awesome special effects and all that, and you will probably feel some emotions, probably anger because a lot of people do get killed and not much happens to the attackers.

One thing I did like though was the attitude of the son in the movie, his desire to follow the army into the heat to try and get some sort of vengeance pretty much summed up my feelings while watching the movie, like I said though, you never really get this.

Overall a decent movie, probably one I might buy on DVD but it could have been a lot better in my opinion.