War of the Worlds

5

RayzorMooseNov 13, 2013

War of the Worlds only battles with viewers interest.
Based on the classic sci-fi novel; War of the Worlds is somewhat limited by design. Characters are left as shells, and the ongoing threat never is really addressed with any rhyme or reason.

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5

calhouniteDec 20, 2013

Guess the overacting was appropos given this was a cataclysmic alien invasion, but when the supposedly hyper-advanced super sophisticated beings show up as naked savages suspension of disbelief ends.

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5

smilzobobozJul 2, 2017

When a dramatic movie makes you laugh the point was lost somewhere...
Extremely boring plot, totally uninteresting plot-twists, very nice CGI effects (that's good), alien invaders.
The plot goes more or less like this: good-for-nothingWhen a dramatic movie makes you laugh the point was lost somewhere...
Extremely boring plot, totally uninteresting plot-twists, very nice CGI effects (that's good), alien invaders.

The plot goes more or less like this: good-for-nothing ex-husband needs alien invaders to prove his ex-wife he's not good-for-nothing, constantly screaming little-girl included.

This movie was such a disappointment that up until the end I was waiting for something to happen and then the movie ended and yet nothing happened.… Expand

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5

kyle20ellisMar 25, 2022

'War of the Worlds' had a lot going for it, considering the story, that it was directed by Steven Spielberg and a decent cast on paper. It turned however to be a frustratingly uneven film, with a good first half and a pretty lousy second'War of the Worlds' had a lot going for it, considering the story, that it was directed by Steven Spielberg and a decent cast on paper. It turned however to be a frustratingly uneven film, with a good first half and a pretty lousy second half.

Starting with what's good, the film looks fabulous, the atmosphere that the cinematography and lighting evoked is just incredible and the special effects are without complaint too. John Williams can be relied upon to compose a good score and he does here, being both rousing and spooky. Spielberg does an impeccable job directing the first half of the film, giving a lot of the first half thrills, suspense and genuine scares.

Tom Cruise does a good job in the lead and Tim Robbins is eerily eccentric. As said, the first half has many great moments and is filled with unnerving suspense and scary chills. Truly imaginative details like the burning train, the birds/tripod scene and the river of the dead bodies burn in the memory for a long while after.

However, the human drama was not as transfixing as it should have been, being hurt by the dysfunctional family subplot being rammed down the throat with no subtlety at all with nothing relatable at all and especially by the kids.

Spielberg has demonstrated before that he is capable of directing great child performances, prime examples being Haley Joel Osment in 'AI' and Christian Bale in 'Empire of the Sun', but the performances of both Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin are incredibly irritating. Not sure which is more so, Fanning's constant screaming or brattiness or Chatwin made to act throughout the film but especially the second half like an indecisively written character who makes stupid decisions and acts rebellious in the most insufferable of ways. The dialogue is often insipid.

After a lot of promise in the first half, 'War of the Worlds' is let down significantly by the second half where the pace slackens (a notable example being that overlong scene in the basement) and the suspense dramatically wilts (such as when the aliens are introduced, and they are not menacing in the slightest) and is replaced by ridiculousness, frustrating character decisions and sentimentality. The Hollywood schmaltz kicks in and keeps assaulting the viewer at full throttle, while the ending is up there as one of film's most false, cloying and anti-climactic.

In conclusion, a frustratingly uneven film that starts off quite well and then completely falls apart. 5/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

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5

ZerpnosMar 25, 2017

Küçüklüğümde Film satan bir yerden, boş zamanımda izlerim diyerek, kutusunu ve adını beğenerek aldığım fakat izlerken o yaşlarda bile uzaylı kavramını kötü hissettiren film olmuştur. Ayrıca filmin sonunda tek yaprağın bile ne kadar önemliKüçüklüğümde Film satan bir yerden, boş zamanımda izlerim diyerek, kutusunu ve adını beğenerek aldığım fakat izlerken o yaşlarda bile uzaylı kavramını kötü hissettiren film olmuştur. Ayrıca filmin sonunda tek yaprağın bile ne kadar önemli olduğunu göstermesi, doğaya karşı daha dikkatli olmamızı gösteren bir şeydi. Kötünün iyisi olarak değerlendirdiğim bu filme puanım 5.… Expand

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5

Toasty87Jul 12, 2020

Terrible casting and terrible script what could have been at least the CGI holds up somewhat today.

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5

Gts08Jun 23, 2022

Exciting alien invasion drama, Tom Cruise's acting was meh, but it had a brilliant atmosphere, aand lots of plot holes. The ending was a bit weird. Not in the good way. I give it a 5-6.

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5

Craftnight405Mar 28, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ray Ferner (Tom Cruise) muss sich um seine Kinder Rachel und Robbie kümmern. Seine Ex-Frau und Ihr Mann besuchen Ihre Eltern in Boston. Während sich die Kinder unter Rays Obhut befinden greifen irgendwelche Wesen die Stadt an. Ray und seine Kinder sind auf den Weg nach Boston. Das ist für mich bis jetzt der schwächste Tom Cruise Film und auch gleichzeitig von Steven Spielberg. Wie auch in dem Film Minority Report gibt es einige Szenen die viel zu Hell bzw grell Beläuchtet sind die das Szenario schlechter macht und es sieht nicht realistisch aus. Es gibt hier ein paar Entscheidungen von Charakteren die einfach nur dumm sind. Die beiden Kinder gehen mir auf die Nerven, vor allem Rachel, welche sehr viel Schreit und Ohrenschmerzen verursacht. Es nervt zwar, aber es ist eine realistische Reaktion auf so ein Szenario. Robbie ist einfach nur dumm, ihn hätte man gut und gerne streichen können. Seine Handlungen machen keinen Sinn, vor allem wo er sich "opfert". Am Anfang handelt Ray auch richtig dumm und geht richtig nahe an Blitze ran. Die Szene wo sie in dem Haus seiner Ex- Frau sind fande ich gut und witzig. Die Vater-Tochter-Beziehung fande ich auch nicht gut gelöst. Es gibt keine richtig Emotionalen Moment in diesem Film, was ich schon erwartet habe. Es gab ein paar Szene die gut wahren. Die Erklärung, warum die Aliens angreifen musste ich googlen, weil ich es nicht verstanden habe und es nur kurz erklärt wird.
In Scary Movie 4 wurde dieser Film parodiert und den fande ich interessanter und besser als diesen hier.
Definitiv der schlechteste Film von Spielberg den ich bis jetzt gesehen habe.

5/10… Expand

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4

PatC.Feb 10, 2006

Good special effects, but once again Tom Cruise plays a character with the depth of personality of a potato. Whether this movie is about humanity's best or worst tendencies under stress, it is painful to contemplate.

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4

MichaelPSep 1, 2005

After the previous Spielberg/Cruise/sci-fi combination of Minority Report, I had high hopes for this. Consequently I was very disappointed - it starts off convincingly, but once the tripods arrive it alternates between schmaltz and aliens After the previous Spielberg/Cruise/sci-fi combination of Minority Report, I had high hopes for this. Consequently I was very disappointed - it starts off convincingly, but once the tripods arrive it alternates between schmaltz and aliens incompetently attempting to kill everyone.… Expand

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4

CaioO.Jul 10, 2006

Critic seems to like it, but to me it was just a bunch of aliens coming and killing everybody during the whole movie, until a stupid end.

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4

JesseM.Dec 4, 2005

Surprisingly terrible movie.

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4

RaschidA-MDec 5, 2005

The first 15 to 20 minutes are excellent. You'll be grinning from ear to ear if you have a projector and digital surround, but the little girl and the son are unbearable. It's absolutely outrageous. I found it physically The first 15 to 20 minutes are excellent. You'll be grinning from ear to ear if you have a projector and digital surround, but the little girl and the son are unbearable. It's absolutely outrageous. I found it physically uncomfortable to sit through the screaming and the bickering amongst the family when the real movie was going on all around them. It's not the acting, it's just those Spielbergo moments that drive me... Anyway, for me this has everything you could ever love and hate in a movie.… Expand

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4

brianDec 6, 2005

5 mins, ok 15 mins, got very intrested 20 mins,wow im gonna love this 30 mins, gonna put the kettle on 45 mins, getting bored but im sure it will pick up again 60 mins, hang in there im sure something spectacular will happen any min now 80 5 mins, ok 15 mins, got very intrested 20 mins,wow im gonna love this 30 mins, gonna put the kettle on 45 mins, getting bored but im sure it will pick up again 60 mins, hang in there im sure something spectacular will happen any min now 80 mins, ok im starting to get worried now im sure it will start to get intresting 100 mins WTF is going on i thought this was War Of The Worlds 105 mins, is that it 110 mins, OMFG what a dissaster of a movie and it started so amazingly with me on the edge of my seat. i give it a 4 because i thought the tripods saved the film from a total disaster.… Expand

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4

PeterB.Feb 23, 2006

Overly exaggerated acting (if you could call it that). This was just one of those movies that revolved around special affects, and used acting to fill the gaps. Although the effects really were neat, they did not carry the film.

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4

JayHOct 5, 2008

Between my dislike of tom cruise, the poor acting and average special effects this wasn't a very good film.

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4

ConnieS.Oct 22, 2005

AAAhhhhhh! The Ending! the horrible ending! Scarier than aliens and Tom Cruise put together is the tacked on, cheezy whimper of a finale. What a terrible way to end a movie that was scary, laden with 9/11 symbolism and true xenophobia! I AAAhhhhhh! The Ending! the horrible ending! Scarier than aliens and Tom Cruise put together is the tacked on, cheezy whimper of a finale. What a terrible way to end a movie that was scary, laden with 9/11 symbolism and true xenophobia! I hope the DVD has an alternative ending or an explanation for such a waste of a classic American sci fi. btw: Kudos once again to Dakota Fanning who continues to act circles around her adult 'star' coworkers. she deserves better than this and bumped my grade up. tip of the film: exit stage right about 3 minutes early and don't look back the ending will be gaining on you!!… Expand

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4

MikeDec 20, 2005

This movie is what is wrong with movies. You find a big name director, a big name actor, and then people will actually think it's a good movie. This movie had a dead plot to begin with, and they didn't make it anymore interesting. This movie is what is wrong with movies. You find a big name director, a big name actor, and then people will actually think it's a good movie. This movie had a dead plot to begin with, and they didn't make it anymore interesting. Just like any other action film out there: mindless and hopeless. So over-rated.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

4

JWAug 23, 2005

Are you telling me than during an alien invasion that is destined to distroy the world, the most interesting story is a bad father and his two kids? Cool special effects but a worthless story.

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4

JamesBDec 28, 2005

I have just finished watching this movie for the second time and can say in all honesty that Speilberg's update of the classic War Of The Worlds tale is a complete disappointment. This picture could have been one of the best science I have just finished watching this movie for the second time and can say in all honesty that Speilberg's update of the classic War Of The Worlds tale is a complete disappointment. This picture could have been one of the best science fiction epics in recent years, however its success was inevitably going to be mared by the lack of scope and imagination implemented by those producing it. The trailer made the film look nothing short of breathtaking, hinting and teasing audiences with samples of the Spielberg and Cruise creativity madjesty that we've seen before in the likes of Minority Report. Unfortunately, this is exactly what the movie itself demonstrates; pure speculation. At the best of times the film is prolonged, slow and uninspired, and whenever the amazing special effects that the film makers have created are shown, they are again limited to a smattering of brief action sequences that you hope will accure countless times throughout the course of the picture. however this is not to be. Overall War of the Worlds is an underdeveloped experience that could have been so much more. I personally am a huge fan of Tom Cruise and feel incredibly disappointed to see him placed in role where he can cannot fully express his true talent and form as his character is hardly ever given anything demanding to do besides runaway and act dumb. This movie is a victim of its own limitations and if more time was spent illustrating epic encounters between the invaders and us humans instead of focusing on a dead end plotline about a single family, this film could have ultimately been much improved.… Expand

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4

FilipeNetoFeb 12, 2018

Entertaining, but disappointing

In this film, directed by Steven Spielberg, Earth is attacked by aliens with giant mechanical tripods in a contemporary approach of the famous H.G. Wells sci-fi novel, and a remake of a homonym film by 1953.Entertaining, but disappointing

In this film, directed by Steven Spielberg, Earth is attacked by aliens with giant mechanical tripods in a contemporary approach of the famous H.G. Wells sci-fi novel, and a remake of a homonym film by 1953. Has Tom Cruise in the lead role, Ray Ferrier, a father who seeks to put his daughter, Rachel (Dakota Fanning) in a safer place.

Although Steven Spielberg have used enough computer special effects and killed half of mankind, this film isn't only a human calamity, but the drama of a father trying to save his daughter from alien invasion, a theme who has been subject of several stories. In fact, most of them has been, directly or indirectly, influenced by the novel "War of the Worlds" ("Independence Day", just to quote one of them).

The tension follows all the film, where action and special effects scenes are mixed with suspense and expectation enlivened by scenes that remind us of the Holocaust or 9/11. The two main characters easily captivate the audience's sympathies and make us become more anxious and "clinging" to the film, which is always good. Tom Cruise managed to come out very well in his role, despite a certain ambiguity of his character, who only thinks about running away during the first half of the movie and spends the second half acting like the hero of "Mission Impossible", without we understand why exactly he changes his attitude. Another problem of this movie are the fairly obvious plot holes that we don't like to see in a Spielberg's film (I would even say that they aren't forgivable in a film directed by him).

For all this, this film leave some critics a bit disappointed, having just been nominated for Oscars in three technical categories (Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Special Effects). Commercially, however, it was a success, largely due to the fame of Spielberg and Cruise, but also due to the special effects and the fact that is able to achieve its main goal: entertain who pays to see him.… Expand

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4

geewahJan 12, 2021

This is one boring action flick and one of Spielberg's worst efforts. Throw in the wooden Cruise and this is a movie not worth investing your time in.

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3

AliceK.Oct 6, 2005

[***SPOILERS***] Not a patch on The Terminal or Catch Me If You Can. I don't blame Steven Speilberg, more the writers who did the script. It is totally unintesting espcially after some of the great versions that have been done in the[***SPOILERS***] Not a patch on The Terminal or Catch Me If You Can. I don't blame Steven Speilberg, more the writers who did the script. It is totally unintesting espcially after some of the great versions that have been done in the past. The only excellent scene was the bit where the young girl goes off into the forest and gets to the river and sees the bodies flkowing down the river. That was excellent thought.… Expand

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3

daved.Jul 21, 2005

I can't believe how high most critics scored this. its fairly entertaining in the same way pyromania is. cruise sucks in pretty much everything bar Magnolia, and no change here. Throw in some of the worst logjc ever, some stupid I can't believe how high most critics scored this. its fairly entertaining in the same way pyromania is. cruise sucks in pretty much everything bar Magnolia, and no change here. Throw in some of the worst logjc ever, some stupid mistakes such as the deaf guy reacting to a sound when someone says 'did you hear that', and the biggest cop out ending involving a family who from the looks of things didnt notice the aliens. The daughter is also incredibly annoying, and Spielberg tries to add some depth im some really dubious shots of cruise and his son. Photography is nice however, but that hardly saves this mess.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

3

PedroO.Oct 12, 2005

I think it's not such a good movie, and it should be nominee to the razzies.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

3

PhilDec 20, 2005

This movie had so much potential and just did not deliver. The holes in the plot were large and frequent. The main charecters were annoying and at times I wanted them to die. The special effects were good but could not rescue this flop.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

3

KrisS.Jul 2, 2005

One of the best films I've seen in ages. Speilberg digs his old roots, but delivers a film that comments on social issues as well as humanity. Boy does it work!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

3

AdamL.Nov 28, 2005

Other Than it being a speilberg film, it sucked. Sure, the girl was cute, it had Tom Cruise it in it, the story was sort of good, the CG kicked, there are a lot of good things to say about it, but I don't rate on the good things, I rate Other Than it being a speilberg film, it sucked. Sure, the girl was cute, it had Tom Cruise it in it, the story was sort of good, the CG kicked, there are a lot of good things to say about it, but I don't rate on the good things, I rate on the overall originality and quality, and in those points it sucked. It is so cliche and dull, it made me think speilberg is losing his touch. He uses things that are so old, it makes you think your see E.T. again. I feel sorry for you speilberg fans, because this movie makes me think speilberg won't be around much longer.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

3

KeithYNov 29, 2005

I agree with another's remarks, but she was pretty harsh. This movie deserves at least a three. It's funny to read all the half-baked critics who just want their name seen next to Spielberg and Cruise for once. The acting was so I agree with another's remarks, but she was pretty harsh. This movie deserves at least a three. It's funny to read all the half-baked critics who just want their name seen next to Spielberg and Cruise for once. The acting was so bad, I found myself annoyed at how stupid the alien was that it couldn't just squash Tom Thumb in the first 5 minutes. The scenes in the cellar were absolutely laughable, these Spielberg's tripods were dumb and dumber. I really wanted to like this movie, honest! Starts off quite well, but it went all downhill after about 20 minutes into the movie - Did Spielberg go on vacation and let someone else take over after the first few minutes? Things I hated about this movie 1) Severe plot holes - Usually I don't let a plot hole or two ruin the movie, but this was ridiculous. Plot holes throughout meant that the story just didn't make sense and wasn't believable at all 2) The main characters - Very unlikeable. The audience couldn't care less if they lived or died. The acting was okay, for what they were given to work with. I still have faith in your acting abilities, Tom Cruise. I know you'll do better in your next movie. 3) The pacing in the film is extremely uneven 4) The ending! Very uninspiring and a total let-down. It's as if the director suddenly got bored and didn't care that he was slacking off, thinking hoping that the start of the film will at least get it good reviews. All in all, don't bother with this movie. But if you're still curious and hoping that all the bad reviews were wrong, get it on DVD. It's a renter at best!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful

3

Andy92Sep 12, 2010

this movie i must say is very unsuccessful in my eyes for starters not providing an entertaining story i thought was even boring in some parts. the acting from the cast is the only thing that saves it in my opinion

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3

QuelhasSep 15, 2015

This site doesn't allow me to write just one word, that for me, best describes this movie, so I'm writing this just to submit that word that best describes the feeling I had watching this at the cinema: Painful.

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2

timz.Sep 2, 2005

A disaster from the get go. Good effects but terrible plot and acting. Why cant hollywood leave well enough alone. Whats next, Forbidden Planet of Day the Earth Stood Still. Save your money!

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2

ArielGNov 22, 2005

I really wanted to like this movie, honest! Starts off quite well, but it went all downhill after about 20 minutes into the movie - Did Spielberg go on vacation and let someone else take over after the first few minutes? Things I hated about I really wanted to like this movie, honest! Starts off quite well, but it went all downhill after about 20 minutes into the movie - Did Spielberg go on vacation and let someone else take over after the first few minutes? Things I hated about this movie 1) Severe plot holes - Usually I don't let a plot hole or two ruin the movie, but this was ridiculous. Plot holes throughout meant that the story just didn't make sense and wasn't believable at all 2) The main characters - Very unlikeable. The audience couldn't care less if they lived or died. The acting was okay, for what they were given to work with. I still have faith in your acting abilities, Tom Cruise. I know you'll do better in your next movie. 3) The pacing in the film is extremely uneven 4) The ending! Very uninspiring and a total let-down. It's as if the director suddenly got bored and didn't care that he was slacking off, thinking hoping that the start of the film will at least get it good reviews. All in all, don't bother with this movie. But if you're still curious and hoping that all the bad reviews were wrong, get it on DVD. It's a renter at best!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

2

afdfa.Oct 18, 2005

This movie starts out great and totally flops halfway to the end and through to the end. The hero in the movie (Tom Cruise) is no hero at all. The ending of the movie is a total flop, I mean a real joke. When the movie ends I was very This movie starts out great and totally flops halfway to the end and through to the end. The hero in the movie (Tom Cruise) is no hero at all. The ending of the movie is a total flop, I mean a real joke. When the movie ends I was very disappointed to say the least.… Expand

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2

ByronDec 5, 2005

Steven Spielberg, once one of the film industry's best directors, turned out a real stinker (his second-worst, after AI) with this remake of H.G. Wells' classic Martian invasion tale. Tom Cruise is an unpleasant everyman who does Steven Spielberg, once one of the film industry's best directors, turned out a real stinker (his second-worst, after AI) with this remake of H.G. Wells' classic Martian invasion tale. Tom Cruise is an unpleasant everyman who does little but to run, run, run from the bad aliens with his even more annoying daughter, who does little but scream, scream, scream. Even more irritating are the dozens of inconsistencies and gaffs that indicate that Spielberg was focused on grand special effects to the exclusion of simple subtleties that make good movies great (or, in this case, makes an awful movie tolerable). Cruise's car, for instance, survives being crashed into by a commercial jet, then he drives away through a nice, neat path in the wreckage. A 300-foot alien ship pops up out of a New York street and starts blasting everything in sight, yet a few blocks away no one knows anything is going on. Later, in the midst of worldwide destruction, Cruise turns on his radio and gets the "test of the emergency broadcast system" message, as if there wasn't an "actual emergency." And so it goes, to a reunion scene at the end that is laughably inane.… Expand

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2

JohnSNov 26, 2005

Aside from the excellent job of things "blowed up good" this was a horrible movie. Only watchable when the aliens got on screen, then it was kind of fun. And why do they do this? Smart people like speilberg, the world is being invaded and we Aside from the excellent job of things "blowed up good" this was a horrible movie. Only watchable when the aliens got on screen, then it was kind of fun. And why do they do this? Smart people like speilberg, the world is being invaded and we have to spend the whole movie listening to an unlikeable family whine to one another. That is not hard to find, so give us the aliens destroying cities, please.… Expand

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2

Badger01Jul 26, 2013

I don't know how one of the greatest film makers alive (Steven Spielberg) managed to turn one of the most iconic pieces in early sci fi literature in to just another bland boring action film. It reminds me a lot of 'Independence Day', exceptI don't know how one of the greatest film makers alive (Steven Spielberg) managed to turn one of the most iconic pieces in early sci fi literature in to just another bland boring action film. It reminds me a lot of 'Independence Day', except with out even the pluses of saying it's special effects are (comparative to the time) very good or having a memorable, stirring speech. In fact, that's a problem of the whole film, not one god damn thing in it is memorable, just Tom Cruise and his constantly screaming daughter driving every where. I think the big problem was that setting it in the modern era removes any sort of tension at all. When all the alien just have big anti-everything shields that can't be hurt by squat, there's no sense of humanity fighting back, so it turns from "War" of the Worlds in to "Ants on poking at an exterminators shoe" of the Worlds. Bland, samey, dull, boring, lazy, cliche, and all other manor of adjectives. And the worst thing is, this means it'll be far longer until someone is allowed to actually make a GOOD adaptation at last. (Stick with the radio drama/rock opera).… Expand

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2

joegFeb 21, 2014

Way too much Tom Cruise in this movie. They took a great story line and made it about Tom Cruise rather than about alien invasion. They didn't do justice to the wonderful HG Wells story

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1

LifeCoachOct 14, 2005

I liked the lightning and weather effects, but ALL the crowd scenes were terrible. It was a first date movie with someone I didn't last more than a month with. And, I am tempted to blame this waste of money and time and energy and I liked the lightning and weather effects, but ALL the crowd scenes were terrible. It was a first date movie with someone I didn't last more than a month with. And, I am tempted to blame this waste of money and time and energy and online time to write this review. I want to have a subtitle to this movie: "Spielberg and Cruise, The Betrayal."… Expand

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1

KaRJul 2, 2005

In this days... great f/x doesn't justify a bad movie like this one. The first thing to do before an invasion is recognising the place, so, how can a group of aliens with that technology fail in a basic strategic point like that one?????

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1

SomeonewhocaresOct 2, 2005

The horror......the Razzie-worthy horror. Crappity crap crap, all of it. Acting, cinematography, FX, script, characterisation, logic, bookends, you name it. Fugly and unprofessional as sin. Spielberg and his lousy leading man need to go away The horror......the Razzie-worthy horror. Crappity crap crap, all of it. Acting, cinematography, FX, script, characterisation, logic, bookends, you name it. Fugly and unprofessional as sin. Spielberg and his lousy leading man need to go away ASAP if all the reaction they can elicit with their sad craptitude is not one shred of unintentional amusement, but instead bore me to death with their bumbling indifference to quality. I know lots of videogames more mature and entertaining than this trailer trash - so why do the ravers even bother? I'd think a non-event even more effortlessly mechanical, empty, contrived and idiotic than Revenge of the Sith(!) is hardly worth talking about in the first place, let alone gushing over.… Expand

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1

LudovicT.Aug 25, 2005

No, seriously, what's the point of that story ? They take a car through the crowd... What is gonna happen ? Everybody is going to jump on the car to take it. Yep. Then the son is joining the army, is he gonna die ? yep, or no, because No, seriously, what's the point of that story ? They take a car through the crowd... What is gonna happen ? Everybody is going to jump on the car to take it. Yep. Then the son is joining the army, is he gonna die ? yep, or no, because it's a happy ending movie. I'm looking for something in this movie I couldn't predict before it happened... Ah yes, actually, I couldn't predict an end as dumb: the Martians are sooooo technologically advandced that they forgot their space suit, and fall for the first virus. Maybe they didn't know about Pasteur, but I know about Spielberg: he doesn't do a movie like one does art, he chain-produces meaningless blockbusters. Star Wars was stupid but at least funny. This movie is boring, and I still don't get what the critics found interesting in it, I think critics are so bored they overrate any novelty.… Expand

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1

TigerlilyJan 12, 2006

All that leaps off the kneejerk critical page to me - a lot more than this irritating brainless movie per se can muster anyway - are comments regarding 'top-notch special effects'. What are all you peeps smoking? I'd sure like All that leaps off the kneejerk critical page to me - a lot more than this irritating brainless movie per se can muster anyway - are comments regarding 'top-notch special effects'. What are all you peeps smoking? I'd sure like an optimistic drag, because the only thing I found 'special' about these effects is how often I've seen less laughable and amateurish effects on bilge made for the Sci-Fi Channel.… Expand

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1

georgea.Nov 21, 2005

V.dissapointing. Why anyone would want to ruin such a good book god only knows. people should stick to just readin the book.

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1

JoelAug 26, 2005

Guess the consensus is more than obvious, but nowhere near as grossly unsubtle as the terrible movie itself. Zero thrills. As far as I can tell, the only supple horror you'll find is how much it plays out like what I'm sure is the Guess the consensus is more than obvious, but nowhere near as grossly unsubtle as the terrible movie itself. Zero thrills. As far as I can tell, the only supple horror you'll find is how much it plays out like what I'm sure is the 'reinvented' 21st century Spielberg's and that phony Cruise's brainstorm of 'cinematic transcendence'. Hopefully anyone who *hasn't* seen this simplistic, childish mess yet still isn't tempted, it's really about on par with something like The Core, or a DTV effort. Mind-bogglingly stupid, blandly limp and unriveting from start to finish, with 'scripting', 'special' effects and 'performances' to match. How could anyone behind the scenes or upfront be proud of this garbage or their 'efforts' is beyond me. But I guess it's to be expected, though even the 1953 version of this nonsense source-material can only register as skillful and timely by comparison. Spielberg's always been immensely overrated if you ask me, it's just no contest. The Indy films are yawn-inducing amateurish crap, every last one - if you want enjoyably throwaway, you want old Looney Tunes shorts, not feature films. While other supposed renowned favorites, i.e. E.T., Close Encounters, Empire of the Sun, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, despite likable qualities, are just too humanly sketchy, and seriously lack enough oomph overall to qualify as remotely great. The remainder of his oeuvre is largely hideous and/or worthless. Even Jaws, his best film by a country mile, clearly ranks somewhere at the very bottom of a list of other superior directors' best films. And now, does Spielberg even care anymore, or is he just a bigger, more laughably earnest joke of a director than I ever thought he was? Retirement is in dire order. At least five out of six Star Wars are indeed similarly, grandiosely dumb and unsophisticated as a box of rocks, sure - but at least *amusing* in their sheer badness; re: attempts to take themselves seriously. Unlike.....THIS.… Expand

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EonMar 3, 2007

Now I'm almost convinced that Spielberd is a patsy for the elite. Now that the "terrorist" fear is starting to work not-so-well , they are preparing public to "threat from outer space". And they allways do it in entertainment first, so Now I'm almost convinced that Spielberd is a patsy for the elite. Now that the "terrorist" fear is starting to work not-so-well , they are preparing public to "threat from outer space". And they allways do it in entertainment first, so we will accept it as something "natural" when it actually occurs. They showed the idea of "enhanced-human-through-implanted-microchips" in Star Trek long ago. And what a coincindence - one of the Star Trek creators happened to work for the NASA. And now the microchips are started being pushed towards public, what-a-natural-event. It is interesting that no matter what crap Mr. Spielberg makes, it always gets some "100 percent" positive reviews, no how mysterious is that... Although , most of you will think I'm crazy.… Expand

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JohnnyW.Nov 1, 2005

Gets one point for some nice special FX (the way cars flew in the air was cool, realistic). The acting was poor/mediocre and the mass scenes were the worst there have been. The original story wasn't a great one but this version could Gets one point for some nice special FX (the way cars flew in the air was cool, realistic). The acting was poor/mediocre and the mass scenes were the worst there have been. The original story wasn't a great one but this version could have been a lot better if Spielberg had only tried. I wonder if this is what we are going to see in the next few years from Cruise and Spielberg (I think they have invented the script writing machine and are just cashing in).… Expand

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TomSDec 10, 2006

Wow, this movie sure is scary. As horror films go, it's really horrifying. Unfortunately, I got up to greet the pizza-man, and when I got back a minute later, somehow all the aliens were mysteriously dying. We're told this was from Wow, this movie sure is scary. As horror films go, it's really horrifying. Unfortunately, I got up to greet the pizza-man, and when I got back a minute later, somehow all the aliens were mysteriously dying. We're told this was from bacteria of some sort, then shown a zoom-in beyond the level of DNA (much smaller than bacteria) to some indefinite specks. Don't try to think about this one. The whole movie just meandered lazily from one grotesque scene to another. Completely sadistic, really. I didn't see The Passion, but I imagine it's sort of the same thing. This movie only makes sense in the context of 'New World Order' conspiracy theories about Speilberg -- like, if 'they' decide that a billion people have to die to preserve the world's resources, let's just stage a temporary 'alien invasion,' where a ton of people will be helplessly killed, and then the killing will miraculously stop without anyone doing anything. (Probably why we see only the plight of a do-nothing citizen, rather than an actual story a-la ID4.) This sort of speculation is necessary for entertainment because the movie gives you nothing else to think about. No plot, no drama, no honor in the actions of the characters, no imagination. I didn't see it at the theater, only on someone's enormous plasma TV, but the visual effects were underwhelming -- nothing we haven't seen many times before. Many scenes are interrupted in the height of suspense by a fade to silent black that has no purpose except as a future commercial break. Lots of loud noises to keep you and your neighbors awake, though. That earns one point.… Expand

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JSDec 5, 2009

This is the worst movie I've seen in a very long time. It has no style, no personality. Its sole purpose is just to show a small town get blown to pieces in the first 20 minutes. Every other second of the movie is agonizing! Its not This is the worst movie I've seen in a very long time. It has no style, no personality. Its sole purpose is just to show a small town get blown to pieces in the first 20 minutes. Every other second of the movie is agonizing! Its not even a movie, its what the "nails on a chalk board" sound is to the visual sense. The actors all spend the whole time screaming at each other in a very melodramatic fashion. Or just screaming in general. I've never seen people scream so much before in my life. If a giant robot is trying to kill me, I'm not going to be like "DAD WHY ARE YOU UPSET ITS ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD!!!! DAD!!! DAD!!! DAD!!! AAAAAAH YOU'RE MAKING ME NERVOUS TRYING TO FLEE FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!" The characters don't even have lines when they're not screaming or acting stupid. At one point, Tom Cruise's son begs him to let him go watch a battle between the US army and aliens, and Tom has to try and drag him away; to no success. That's the dumbest thing I've ever seen in a movie, and it was totally non-secateurs. No plot. No nothing. When the pretty visual effects stop momentarily, Tom Cruise resorts to throwing peanut butter and breaking the windows of his house to entertain us. I guess they ran out of budget after making all the terrible CGI.… Expand

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ballpark_frankNov 24, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. OK...team up Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, and one of the greater science fiction writers' best story...like the saying in "Crazy Like a Fox": "What could possibly happen?". As it turns out, not too much. Cruise running around like a maniac would not be too bad...IF it'd happened following the 'invasion'. However, it seems like that's the way the character normally acts. Dakota Fanning's claim-to-fame seems to be her ability to remember one line of dialog: "SHRIEK!". 'Sir' Spielberg places this film in the modern day, which might have worked. However, in this case, it didn't. In his re-imagining of the invasion, it turns out the aliens have been here all along (Spoiler...naw...). The so-called effects just seem too Michael Bay-ish, with the only item that I enjoyed being the 'harvesting' tripod. I will mention that the ending was great...it meant this tripe was finally over.… Expand

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shag00Mar 1, 2019

I am at a loss to understand how this movie was so well received. This is a modern, poorly dramatised remake of a classic book and fails on just about every level. The first and last narration pieces stand at odds with the guts of the movieI am at a loss to understand how this movie was so well received. This is a modern, poorly dramatised remake of a classic book and fails on just about every level. The first and last narration pieces stand at odds with the guts of the movie and appear trashy while trying to give film status. The story of mankind's survival is superseded by the crappy soap opera of a dysfunctional American family, for lack of a better term.

What was the point of having the tripods buried (a million years ago, what is the point of manning them through capsules and lightning. Just stupid **** A good story spoiled by having to listen and watch Cruise continually argue with his brain dead off spring.… Expand

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egoBorderAug 19, 2020

If you want to know what an alien invasion would be like completely devoid of tension and filled with inane cliches instead of characters, you'll love this. In case of an actual alien invasion, find Tom Cruise immediately because even thoughIf you want to know what an alien invasion would be like completely devoid of tension and filled with inane cliches instead of characters, you'll love this. In case of an actual alien invasion, find Tom Cruise immediately because even though he's just a car mechanic he basically figures out everything. Skip this dumb movie, or watch it on mute as the visuals are the only good thing.… Expand

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DanA.Jul 2, 2005

Absolutely terrible! This movie is an insult to the viewer as it seeks to sell two hours of special effect spectacular but delivers no content. There is almost no story line of any acceptable depth, and all characters are as annoying as Absolutely terrible! This movie is an insult to the viewer as it seeks to sell two hours of special effect spectacular but delivers no content. There is almost no story line of any acceptable depth, and all characters are as annoying as hell. There is little explanation for what happens and only a 30 second voice to let you know that the [OMITTED] prevail. Nothing made sense in the movie: why the aliens came, how the hell they arrived...., why there were bloody vegetations all over the earth, and why they were out there to kill. Finally, the end scene was designed to make you hate the movie if all the previous scenes were not enough.....And what the hell was up with the Tom's son anyway? Here this from me and don't waste your time and money.… Expand

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DrakeV.Aug 30, 2005

Joel is correct in attacking the workmanship of this poor effort by Spielberg and Cruise as it makes no sense and is laughable from beginning until the bitter end. But Joel may be the most prosaic person ever to write on this board. To Joel is correct in attacking the workmanship of this poor effort by Spielberg and Cruise as it makes no sense and is laughable from beginning until the bitter end. But Joel may be the most prosaic person ever to write on this board. To attack Spielberg for other efforts that were truly heads and tails above the best of its generation is grossly unfair. War is simply bombastic in that it tries to attack the senses without plausable explanation. It fails on every level imaginable.… Expand

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SidiotNov 10, 2005

Too bad to be believed. It falls off a cliff early on and into an abyss.

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GateAug 23, 2005

The reviews by average posters on this board is all in the RED column but somehow this film has a rating of 6.4? It is as preposterous as the storyline in this absolutely dreadful remake of a great science ficition classic. Message to the The reviews by average posters on this board is all in the RED column but somehow this film has a rating of 6.4? It is as preposterous as the storyline in this absolutely dreadful remake of a great science ficition classic. Message to the genius Spielberg: If you are going to take a book from a century ago, made into a movie a half century ago and then set it one hundred years into the future, perhaps it would be wise to use 21st century technology. For example, would you make a movie in 2005 and use smoke signals rather than computers? Pony Express instead of Federal Express? Wind power instead of nuclear power? So then why would we believe that these super intelligent omnipotent aliens who came a billion miles through space and had been monitoring our planet for a million years would know nothing about filtration, bacteria, our atmosphere or wear space suits? It is total illogical as was the irritating Cruise and his band of misfit children running toward the danger instead of away from it? As for the ending the less said the better. It worked one hundred years ago when the book was written but not now! What could have been a great movie turned into a natural disaster because of a financial partnership with a no talent pretty boy like Cruise who backed the movie with Spielberg. About the only thing they did right was to hype this to the rafters to turn a profit from basically a pet rock production. Avoid at all costs.… Expand

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WarrenR.Sep 1, 2005

[***SPOILERS***] Please excuse Matthew as he obviously checked his brains in at the door. There are more plot holes in this film than Carter has Little Liver Pills. If you had a lobotomy then the loud noises and special effects make you giddy[***SPOILERS***] Please excuse Matthew as he obviously checked his brains in at the door. There are more plot holes in this film than Carter has Little Liver Pills. If you had a lobotomy then the loud noises and special effects make you giddy with joy. But if you have the ability to rationalize then this makes no sense at all. Imagine superior creatures capable of traveling a billion miles through space and somehow they forgot their spacesuits, filtration systmem and antibiotics. Simply ludicrous. Would any of us walk out naked on another planet without first checking the atmosphere out other than Matthew? I don' think so. Lame ending to go along with a totally lame effort by Spielberg. And those annoying children.… Expand

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DenisS.Dec 21, 2005

Positively the most boring 'major' movie I have seen all year. Incomprehensible dialogue, poor scripting and equally poor, dark, under imaginative, photography. Independence Day might have been cheesy but it shows how alien Positively the most boring 'major' movie I have seen all year. Incomprehensible dialogue, poor scripting and equally poor, dark, under imaginative, photography. Independence Day might have been cheesy but it shows how alien invasion films should be done. Usual dysfunctional family and brattish kids. When will Hollywood move on and stop repeatedly depicting this tired cliche? The real action was in how the USA would respond at a military political level to such an invasion, not in running around the streets or countryside screaming at each other while irrationally walking back into danger as soon as you have escaped it. Independance Day recognised that. War of the Worlds did not. Which made the most money for their backers?… Expand

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WarrenL.Dec 30, 2005

I just watched it on DVD. All I can say is thank God I did not pay to see this in the theater. It was one of the most disappointing efforts of the once great Mr. Spielberg. Steven have you thought about retirement? Nothing made sense. It I just watched it on DVD. All I can say is thank God I did not pay to see this in the theater. It was one of the most disappointing efforts of the once great Mr. Spielberg. Steven have you thought about retirement? Nothing made sense. It confirmed that Tom Cruise can't act. As for the story it was comical. You don't run toward the danger you run away from it. Every scene was stolen from a previous movie. Awful.… Expand

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midig8rAug 22, 2005

Stop! Don't waste your money on this piece of garbage. Cruise and Spielberg can't rescue this. No story, half done special effects, overused cliches, and, did I say waste of your time? As a long time SciFi fan, I felt I overpaid Stop! Don't waste your money on this piece of garbage. Cruise and Spielberg can't rescue this. No story, half done special effects, overused cliches, and, did I say waste of your time? As a long time SciFi fan, I felt I overpaid seeing this POS at the 2 buck discount theater. See the original...much better!!… Expand

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ShirleyH.Aug 24, 2005

No one on this planet loves sci fi more than I do. I have seen them all dating back to the 1950's. Among my very favorites is George Pal's 1953 original War of The Worlds. I can still remember Gene Barry and the beautiful Ann No one on this planet loves sci fi more than I do. I have seen them all dating back to the 1950's. Among my very favorites is George Pal's 1953 original War of The Worlds. I can still remember Gene Barry and the beautiful Ann Robinson. Gene played a scientist trying to find out how to stop these aliens from anhilating all of us only to fail. But in the end, God's littlest creature, an amoeba, does in the big bad aliens and saves the world. Back then it made sense as we knew little or nothing about biological warfare, weapons of mass destruction, etc. But for some strange reason Mr. Spielberg moves the setting another half century into the future but does not update the story to account for today's knowledge. What we are presented with is Spielberg's commentary on social issues mascaraded by the dysfunctional Tom Cruise and his annoying children. What could have been a great story is reduced to completely implausable special effects. The two legendary actors Barry and Robinson are shown standing at the door as the grandparents in a nonspeaking cameo that lasts all of perhaps two seconds. Mr. Spielberg has made some great films that are all time classics, but this work is so amateur in all aspects that it downright irritating. I would not advise anyone to pay ten cents to see this hogwash.… Expand

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CarolAug 27, 2005

Yuk it was awful.

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ClarkKentSep 15, 2005

Booo!!!!! the show sucks! do not waste your money watching it!

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VictorSep 18, 2005

Was this a comedy? If it was, it was a great satire because nothing made any sense. If it wasn't then you need a barf bag. Either way it was awful.

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voidersApr 26, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. That is the first one in my "black list" os worst movies ever.
I hate when a history force too much to give a good end without any reason.

The movie dont have a start, a middle and an end, have nothing. Every behavior from humans and aliens are so stupid. The script has so bizarre errors. Like someone recording a PEM with a cam, or Tom Cruise leting off the city in a car with ALL cars stoped in the streets, how?

When i saw the end, i just ask "why"? The perspect of view was amazing, but all the rest was disastrous.… Expand

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War of the Worlds

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