War of the Worlds (2005) is an exceptional movie that received decent reviews from critics at Rotten Tomatoes and the harsh Metacritic website (73% which is actually kinda high). Also, it collected 3 Oscar nominations in visual effects, sound mixing and sound editing. It is underrated not by critics but by the common movie-goer. 45%?!? That's unacceptable from Rotten Tomatoes audience reviews. Allow me to explain why now! No major spoilers follow.
In this classic tale, an alien race invades Earth with gargantuan machines that the military can't seem to stop. It is based on the famous book by H.G. Wells. When this was read over the radio, many people believed an actual alien invasion was happening, so it is great source material.
This movie follows a divorced dad caring for his teenage son and young daughter for the weekend when the attacks begin. I like this point of view. Watching the military fighting the Tripods would have been interesting, but it would have been a different movie. One that would have been worse.
It's a Steven Spielberg film. I'm not convinced he has made a failing movie ever, and I'll remind you he's my favorite director.
For those who have seen the movie, think of the basement sequences. Ray (Tom Cruise), Rachel (Dakota Fanning), and Harlan (Tim Robbins) all have to hide. It is hard to breathe during some of those moments. Also, I want to say that all three of them are excellent. Cruise is impeccable as the leading man while Dakota Fanning excels as his daughter. Fanning is my MVP pick for this movie. I'm surprised she hasn't had a more successful adult career considering how sought after she used to be.
Who would have thought to cast Tim Robbins as the semi-crazy basement dweller hiding out from the alien invasion? Well, he is fantastic so props to the casting director.
An important part of the movie to me is the sound (remember it was nominated for this). The loud, low and long horn the Tripod makes gives me all sorts of feelings most of which is uneasy. You can listen to it here. I got chills listening to it just now. Spielberg knows how to freak me out.
Also, the score is great. It always is in his movies. An artistic choice I liked was that the movie started out sunny with an almost angelic lens filter. Once the Tripod attacks, the clouds set in, and the angelic glare fads away.
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