I heard the War Of The Worlds, on the radio, when Orson Well made us believe we were all going to die. He read the book that H.G. Wells wrote, (in 1898), like it was a news broadcast and didn’t end his show until he finished the book. It didn’t matter to us that this was happening in New Jersey, we all believed the Aliens were coming to kill us.
I have seen three UFO’s but never had an Alien encounter, so it doesn’t surprise me that we share the universe with other creatures.
I was very interested in seeing the movie that was produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and released by Amblin Entertainment, (Tom Cruise’s company), Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Films, (Steven Spielberg’s company) in June of 2005.
The Stars Are
Tom Cruise playing Ray Ferrier.
Miriam Otto plays his ex-wife.
Dakota Fanning plays Rachel Ferrier, (Ray’s daughter), who I first saw in the series Taken.
Justin Chatwin plays Robbie Ferrier, (Ray’s 16 year old son).
...And a casts of hundreds, who were ordinary people, off the street, in the scenes with people running.
The Plot
Ray Ferrier is a divorced dad and not a great father. He works on the docks in New Jersey. His ex-wife drops of this children to spend the weekend with him. That night they here thunder roaring and lightning touching the ground.
The sister and brother don’t talk to one another and Robbie keeps getting orally abused by his father.
Ray and Rachel are playing baseball in his yard when the storm begins. They go inside the house and there is a news broadcast that tells them the storm has destroyed the Ukraine. Suddenly a bold
Suddenly a bolt of lightening hits a place near them. He tells his children not to worry because lighting never hits the same place twice. Oh yah. Well it did!
Moments later, at an intersection near his house, Ray sees an event that will change all their lives forever. An enormous three legged war machine arisen from under the earth and. Before anyone can react every thing is burnt. This ordinary day has suddenly become the most important event of their lives as it is the first strike in an Alien attack on Earth.
Leopards don’t change their spots easily, and neither does Ray. His reaction isn’t exactly fatherly, although he does manage to keep his family together when the Aliens visit his street.
What I Thought
With all the hype about Tom Cruise and his new fiancee, I was prepared not to like this movie. I wasn’t scared when it began but about five minutes later I was terrified.
These aren’t nice Aliens because they act like terrorists who are about to take over the World.
The best scene was when the Tripod’s ships came up from the ground, below the Hudson River Ferry Landing, and the crowd panicked. In the middle of the crowd you can see Cruise holding his son’s hand and his daughter is in his arms.
Tim Robbins plays a cameo role and he is brilliant. He is hiding in a barn and has become mad. He’s so deranged that you’ll pray that the invaders take him to end his misery.
The cinematography is fabulous. Lighting, fire, people come rushing towards you.
Tom Cruise seems to have found his nitch and is back to acting. Both Dakota Fanning, (who has the bluest eyes and the loudest screams on any young actress) and Justin Chatwin act so well that you would think that they were really brother and sister in a dysfunctional family.
This film has an anti-war message beneath the layers of the plot. I found that it was interesting that for long periods of time I could hear no music.
The Music
Prologue, The Ferry Scene, Attack On The Car, Escape From The City, Probing The Basement, The Confrontation With Ogilvy, The Reunion, Refugee Status and Ray & Rachel.
Movie Information
Cinematographer: Janusz Kaminski.
Writers: David Koepp and Josh Frieman.
The Score was written by John Williams.
Costume Designer: Joanna Johnson.
Editor: Michael Kahn.
Rated PG 13.
My Conclusion
The thing I didn’t like was the ending, but you’ll have to see the movie to find out if you agree or disagree with me.
Even if you aren’t a sci-fi fan the acting is superb, please don’t miss seeing this movie.
Thanks for reading my review.
©LL2005