Thanks for all the rates - if you read one of my reviews, then I will return the favour! Would appr...
Thanks for all the rates - if you read one of my reviews, then I will return the favour! Would appreciate any reads of my Flashforward review - it came through too fast!
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***War Of The Worlds***
I love these big budget ‘end of the world’ adventure type films and I must be the only person I know who hadn’t seen the original version of H G Wells book, so I didn’t know that much about the movie and most importantly, had no idea of the ending. I watched it quite a long time ago, when it first aired on Sky and watched it again this week. I think it would have been a fantastic film to watch on the big screen.
***What’s it all about?***
Of course this is the perfect type of film for Tom Cruise (Ray Ferrier) to star in and I have to be honest, I prefer his performances in this type of film, rather than his more serious roles (apart from Rainman). It is directed by Steven Spielberg and lasts 116 minutes. The film is rated certificate 12.
The film is a remake and is based upon the original H G Wells book. The film gets off to quite a rapid start and introduces
us to Tom Cruises character single parent Ray Ferrier. His teenage son and daughter are dropped off by his ex-wife (now pregnant) and new partner, as they go off on a trip to Boston.
It quickly becomes clear that Ray’s relationship with his children needs lots of work and he appears at times almost a child himself (with difficulty taking care of his house or providing food). Even his son calls him ‘Ray’, not dad. Freak storms are happening all over and are reported on the news. Yet, we soon find out that these are no ordinary storms… Aliens have infiltrated the earth (I won’t disclose the details of this) and of course are intent on claiming the earth for themselves and systematically destroying mankind.
Ray and his children run, avoiding as best they can, being exterminated. They run in the direction of Boston, to the children’s mum, but of course it is not plain sailing and that is about as much of the plot as you need to know. Anymore would just spoil things…
***Opinion***
I really enjoyed watching this without knowing the ending or any real details of the original film. (I will now seek this out for comparison)
One facet of the film that I really liked was the lighting and type of film used. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable will come along and enlighten me as to how this effect is achieved. As a keen amateur photographer it reminds me of the effects you can get when using slide film. This added to the ambience and created quite cold scenes of panic and terror, in contrast to the lighting and film type used for a romantic comedy for instance.
I also thought that the CGI effects were outstanding, with the alien creatures and machines being quite ominous without appearing silly or unbelievable.
The soundtrack is of course quite famous (although I have never listened to the cd’s) and at times reminds me slightly of the way tension was built up in Jaws. The score was written by John Williams.
The mass scenes of panic, with a huge cast of extras were perfectly executed and choreographed, in what must have been very difficult scenes to coordinate. In particular the early scenes when the aliens appear and the scenes as people are scrambling to get onto the ferry are very effective at illustrating widespread fear and panic.
In terms of tension another great scene is one which takes place in a basement, hiding from the aliens as they investigate. I felt myself holding my breath watching this one!
Even the wreckage of a plane crash was very realistic and full of detail.
For me this is Tom Cruise at his best, because he plays lots of characters like this, as well, Tom Cruise… He is at his best with very fast dialogue and lots of quips and this film has plenty of this.
Dakota Fanning also does a great job as his daughter Rachel and his teenage son is played by Justin Chatwin who is the very essence of a ‘teenager’.
I enjoyed how the three of them became closer as they endured adversity and fought for their survival.
The only negative for me was the somewhat abrupt ending, which I didn’t quite ‘get’ at first. I thought the film could have done with another twenty minutes or so, but nevertheless, I still enjoyed the film.
***Availablity***
It has been on Sky quite a lot recently, but can be picked up from Amazon for only £3.98 which I think is a good price and I have to say that I would watch it more than once (even though I know the ending!) Any fan of disaster films should have this one in their collection.
This review will also appear on Ciao.Com and Ciao.UK.
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Production Year: 2004 - Science Fiction - Director: Alex Proyas - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, Chi McBride, Alan Tudyk
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
An earth-shattering adventure, War of the Worlds reunites superstar Tom Cruise and Academy ... more
Award-winning director Steven Spielberg for one of the most awe-inspiring cinematic experiences of all time!A contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells' classic, the ...
Advantages: Masterful fear factor, no hero, great effects, emotionally intense, original Disadvantages: Bad ending, fear karma broken, most of the film let down by this
Advantages: AWESOME graphics, very well tailored, grabbing storyline, excellent environmental setting! Disadvantages: No-one understands where it's coming from! It's Based on the 1898 HG Wells Novel!!!
![War Of The Worlds [2 Disc Special Edition]-DVD](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/103542835.jpg "War Of The Worlds [2 Disc Special Edition]-DVD")
May 12th, 2009
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