Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning and Tim Robbins in the Steven Spielberg movie ‘War of the Worlds’

A 21st century summer blockbuster that resurrected the 1898 H. G. Wells classic The War of the Worlds captures our focus with this review. Steven Spielberg directed War of the Worlds (2005), the movie modernized the science fiction story of a Martian invasion into an action film of a nature more contemporary than the original. Josh Friedman and David Koepp wrote the screenplay that became this film.

(From left, Dakota Fanning as Rachel Ferrier, Justin Chatwin as Robbie Ferrier, Miranda Otto as Mary Ann Ferrier and Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier in the Steven Spielberg movie War of the Worlds).

War of the Worlds opens with the story of Brooklyn, New York crane operator Ray Ferrier, his estranged children Rachel and Robbie, and Ray’s pregnant ex-wife Mary Ann exchanging custody of the children to Ray in Bayonne, New Jersey. The movie’s narrator informs us that intelligent extraterrestrials had been plotting against humanity, thus setting the stage for the story to come. With news that Mary Ann leaves to visit her parents in Boston, Massachusetts, the emergence of extraterrestrial war machines establish the parameters of the story that follows. Tom Cruise, Justin Chatwin, Dakota Fanning and Miranda Otto portrayed Ray, Robbie, Rachel and Mary Ann Ferrier, respectively. Morgan Freeman provided the narration.

(From left, Tim Robbins as Harlan Ogilvy, Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier and Dakota Fanning as Rachel Ferrier in the Steven Spielberg movie War of the Worlds).

The introduction of the war machines occurred quickly and decisively, moving from the introduction of the core family we’d follow through the movie into the intense delivery of survival and action. The nature of the interpersonal communications between Ray and his kids grew much more direct and instructional with plans to protect this core unit of primary consideration. The visual and auditory introduction of the war machines, and Ray’s observance of this, quickly moves the story into an adrenaline overdrive for survival. Much happens from this point to the compelling side story of the creeping insanity of Harlan Ogilvy. Tim Robbins portrayed Ogilvy, whose home provides safe haven against horrors; The horrors Ogilvy experiences understandably bring upon his fate. The fate of these three, plus Robbie and Mary Ann, and humanity overall provides a solid science fiction movie experience.

(From left, director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Cruise during the making of the Steven Spielberg movie War of the Worlds).

Clear entertainment value remains with the ability to watch a movie such as War of the Worlds multiple times. The moments of suspense and tension make for an entertaining adventure. I grant War of the Worlds as directed by Steven Spielberg 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, July 29, 2023