War of the Worlds

It's remake and remodel time again now Steven Spielberg directs the second screen adaptation of H. G. Wells classic novel War of the Worlds. Tom Cruise plays Ray Ferrier an inept dad that is divorced from his wife Miranda Otto. When the kids Rachel, Dakota Fanning and older brother Robbie, Justin Chatwin are dropped for the weekend all hell breaks loose, not just domestically. At first an unusual lightning storm appears and then at an intersection near Ray's house a massive three legged war machine emerges and destroys everyone and everything in sight. It's the beginning of an alien invasion of earth and it's time for Ray to become a real dad and protect his children from this impending threat.

Spielberg's War of the Worlds is certainly a much darker and frightening film than George Pal's 1953 version. He has drawn heavily on the original art design incorporating spectacular scenes of destruction and panic and of course a lot more blood. Although breathtaking and exhilarating to watch, the story plateaus out far too quickly and not enough time is spent on character development. There are some absurd coincidences that may have you scratching your head but as a grand piece of escapist cinema it's defiantly an enjoyable ride.