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One cannot help but think of terrorist attacks while watching Steven Spielberg's update of the classic sci-fi fantasy THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. While the H.G. Wells story dates b...Read more
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War Of The Worlds 2005 - Not what people are thinking!
by:corvus*corax
PLOT (for those who haven't seen it)
As normal life prevails for Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), suddenly without any warning whatsoever the Earth is invaded by alien tripod fi...Read more
As normal life prevails for Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), suddenly without any warning whatsoever the Earth is invaded by alien tripod fi...Read more
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Description
One cannot help but think of terrorist attacks while watching Steven Spielberg's update of the classic sci-fi fantasy THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. While the H.G. Wells story dates back to 1898, and has inspired previous adaptations, this particular version feeds off its 21st century audience's fear of a terrorist-induced apocalypse. Even if the sight of tall buildings crumbling to the ground and crowds running fearfully away from their demise doesn't trigger post-9/11 paranoia, dialogue such as 'Is it the terrorists?' will. Disgruntled, divorced father Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is struggling to connect with his estranged kids, who have been dropped off by their mother for the weekend, when a severe and unusual lightning storm leaves his New Jersey neighbourhood powerless. Over the course of the next few hours, it becomes obvious that this was not a storm at all, but rather the first sign of a worldwide alien attack. Emerging from the ground in multi-legged tripod-like machines that have apparently been stored beneath the earth's surface since before man's time, these aliens begin the process of waging a long-planned war on our planet. While WAR OF THE WORLDS follows Ray's growing closeness with his two children (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) in the face of imminent disaster, and his transformation from lousy father to hero, their story is used mostly as a vehicle for illustrating an unending series of horrific scenarios. The human element of the story is also briefly explored with Tim Robbins's portrayal of a crazed, alien-fighting recluse. Sticking closely to Wells' original descriptions of alien warfare, the film focuses mainly on visuals and succeeds through impressive special effects to create two hours of thrilling, frightening, realistic terror.
Editorial Reviews
The greatest action epic ever.
Daily Mail
Watching Steven Spielberg's spooky and playful remake of WAR OF THE WORLDS, you may feel a surge of childlike awe...
Entertainment Weekly
Effectively scary and visually impressive
New York Times (02/01/2010)
One cannot help but think of terrorist attacks while watching Steven Spielberg's update of the classic sci-fi fantasy THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. While the H.G. Wells story dates back to 1898, and has inspired previous adaptations, this particular version feeds off its 21st century audience's fear of a terrorist-induced apocalypse. Even if the sight of tall buildings crumbling to the ground and crowds running fearfully away from their demise doesn't trigger post-9/11 paranoia, dialogue such as 'Is it the terrorists?' will. Disgruntled, divorced father Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is struggling to connect with his estranged kids, who have been dropped off by their mother for the weekend, when a severe and unusual lightning storm leaves his New Jersey neighbourhood powerless. Over the course of the next few hours, it becomes obvious that this was not a storm at all, but rather the first sign of a worldwide alien attack. Emerging from the ground in multi-legged tripod-like machines that have apparently been stored beneath the earth's surface since before man's time, these aliens begin the process of waging a long-planned war on our planet. While WAR OF THE WORLDS follows Ray's growing closeness with his two children (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) in the face of imminent disaster, and his transformation from lousy father to hero, their story is used mostly as a vehicle for illustrating an unending series of horrific scenarios. The human element of the story is also briefly explored with Tim Robbins's portrayal of a crazed, alien-fighting recluse. Sticking closely to Wells' original descriptions of alien warfare, the film focuses mainly on visuals and succeeds through impressive special effects to create two hours of thrilling, frightening, realistic terror.
| Credits | |
| Leading Role: | Dakota Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Justin Chatwin, Miranda Otto, Miranda Otto, Morgan Freeman, Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, Tim Robbins, Tom Cruise, Tom Cruise |
| Director: | Steven Spielberg, Steven Spielberg |
| Producer: | Colin Wilson, Kathleen Kennedy, Paula Wagner, Tom Cruise |
| Score Composer: | John Williams, Teresa Medina |
| Features | |
| Region: | Region 2 |
| Release Format: | DVD |
| Rating: | UK:12 |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Running Time: | 112 min. |
| EAN: | 5014437888334 |
Editorial Reviews
Daily Mail
Entertainment Weekly
New York Times (02/01/2010)
eBay product ID: EPID48187529
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All rights reserved.War Of The Worlds 2005 - Not what people are thinking!
Created: 19/12/05
) 
PLOT (for those who haven't seen it)
As normal life prevails for Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), suddenly without any warning whatsoever the Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines with no mercy and engage merciless combat upon arrival. Ray must protect himself and his family as they fight for survival.
INTRODUCTION
YOU CAN NOT slag this film off until you know the history of the War of the Worlds. It was not meant to be an action thriller on par with Terminator 2 and Independence Day. There have been 4 versions of this story. The original 1898 HG Wells Novel, then the 1938 radio broadcast by Orsen Wells. Thirdly the Bryon Haskin film version in 1953, and now the Spielberg version in 2005. Believe it or not, the Spielberg version is the most accurate of them all in terms of the novel! I am basing this review on the documentary of the Spielberg version on the DVD, so it is legit and not just my own opinion.
ORIGINAL ASPECT SET FROM 1898 NOVEL
If you just watched it for the action and thriller aspects, then you probably wouldn't have had a very high opinion of it. This is because Spielberg wanted to portray the movie how HG Wells originally intended it to be in his original 1898 novel "The War Of The Worlds". This was in fact SET FROM FIRST PERSON PERSPECTIVE. An individual's account of how the world falls apart around them when extra-terrestrial life suddenly makes an appearance into everyday life. Notice in the Spielberg version how there are no flash news reports and 3rd person perspectives (such as the war scene) as seen previously in the 1953 Bryon Haskin version (the one where the martians are floating cobra-style warships). Infact I would challenge you to point out any bits that are "extra-Tom-Cruise", scenes that don't involve him. That is why you may have thought it was under-par and too much centred around Tom, simply because thats how it was meant to be!! And in that light I deem it a more scary and realistic experience!
GRAPHICS & ENVIRONMENT SETTING
Since the world has been nurished with high-tech ultra fast computer technology, the computer generated parts of the movie seem very real and spectacular. Much of the machinery, weather effects and ground-cracking (as seen in the beginning) was done in CG. Spielberg wanted to keep it as realistic as possible in terms of everyday life. For eg, in the war scene over the hill, it was cruicial that the lighting was realistic and not over the top. So instead of having loads of greens and reds and blues and yellows flashing away reflecting the alien invaders, he would have a simple bright white strobe flickering away (for the bombs and explosions) and then a quick flash of green or purple. This gives the viewer a sence there there is something out-of-the-ordinary present within this real environment. In my own opinion I think hes achieved this remarkably throughout the film; I watch a lot of Sci-Fi films and this one has made me believe I am in that environment experiencing it from first person.
GUEST APPEARANCE!
If you have watched the 1953 version of WOTW you will remember Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson). They make a cameo appearance as Rachael and Robbie's grandparents that appear right at the end of the 2005 edition.
As normal life prevails for Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), suddenly without any warning whatsoever the Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines with no mercy and engage merciless combat upon arrival. Ray must protect himself and his family as they fight for survival.
INTRODUCTION
YOU CAN NOT slag this film off until you know the history of the War of the Worlds. It was not meant to be an action thriller on par with Terminator 2 and Independence Day. There have been 4 versions of this story. The original 1898 HG Wells Novel, then the 1938 radio broadcast by Orsen Wells. Thirdly the Bryon Haskin film version in 1953, and now the Spielberg version in 2005. Believe it or not, the Spielberg version is the most accurate of them all in terms of the novel! I am basing this review on the documentary of the Spielberg version on the DVD, so it is legit and not just my own opinion.
ORIGINAL ASPECT SET FROM 1898 NOVEL
If you just watched it for the action and thriller aspects, then you probably wouldn't have had a very high opinion of it. This is because Spielberg wanted to portray the movie how HG Wells originally intended it to be in his original 1898 novel "The War Of The Worlds". This was in fact SET FROM FIRST PERSON PERSPECTIVE. An individual's account of how the world falls apart around them when extra-terrestrial life suddenly makes an appearance into everyday life. Notice in the Spielberg version how there are no flash news reports and 3rd person perspectives (such as the war scene) as seen previously in the 1953 Bryon Haskin version (the one where the martians are floating cobra-style warships). Infact I would challenge you to point out any bits that are "extra-Tom-Cruise", scenes that don't involve him. That is why you may have thought it was under-par and too much centred around Tom, simply because thats how it was meant to be!! And in that light I deem it a more scary and realistic experience!
GRAPHICS & ENVIRONMENT SETTING
Since the world has been nurished with high-tech ultra fast computer technology, the computer generated parts of the movie seem very real and spectacular. Much of the machinery, weather effects and ground-cracking (as seen in the beginning) was done in CG. Spielberg wanted to keep it as realistic as possible in terms of everyday life. For eg, in the war scene over the hill, it was cruicial that the lighting was realistic and not over the top. So instead of having loads of greens and reds and blues and yellows flashing away reflecting the alien invaders, he would have a simple bright white strobe flickering away (for the bombs and explosions) and then a quick flash of green or purple. This gives the viewer a sence there there is something out-of-the-ordinary present within this real environment. In my own opinion I think hes achieved this remarkably throughout the film; I watch a lot of Sci-Fi films and this one has made me believe I am in that environment experiencing it from first person.
GUEST APPEARANCE!
If you have watched the 1953 version of WOTW you will remember Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry) and Sylvia Van Buren (Ann Robinson). They make a cameo appearance as Rachael and Robbie's grandparents that appear right at the end of the 2005 edition.
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