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

W. Somerset Maugham and the book ‘The Magician’

British writer W. Somerset Maugham wrote a horrific novel of manipulation, romance and frightening manner first published in 1908 named The Magician. The work accomplishes much with respect to character, which is reason for some to take a closer look. That the book offers an authenticity for this genre with a stylistic quality that captures me like works by Ray Bradbury or H.P. Lovecraft; to be clear, my comparison is one of quality rather than explicit development within the stories.

(Alternative covers for The Magician, a book by British writer W. Somerset Maugham released in 1908).

The Magician delves into the notion of sorcery, setting its action both in England and in Paris, France. Starting within Paris, English surgeon Arthur Burdon visits his fiancée Margaret Dauncey and her friend, Susie Boyd. The scene for where the novel will go in sullying this begins quite innocently with the introduction of one Oliver Haddo, a vile and completely unlikable character behind much unexpected and unexpected mystery and motivation to follow.

(British author W. Somerset Maugham‘s book The Magician was originally published in 1908).

Haddo introduces himself as a magician and acquaintance of an influential member of Arthur Burdon’s profession. The acquaintance to a member of Burdon’s past was claimed to occult scholar Dr. Porhoët; things advance between Haddo, Burdon, Dauncey and Boyd in an uncomfortable manner for several days, eventually witnessing Arthur Burdon fighting Oliver Haddo when the purported magician kicks Haddo’s dog.

(Additional covers for editions of The Magician, a 1908 book written by W. Somerset Maugham).

The intense cruelty and revenge motivation of one Oliver Haddo, following the above fight, consumes Burdon, Dauncey and Boyd in an incredible and unlikely plot against the fidelity between Burdon and Dauncey. Despite her initial revulsion to him, Haddo uses seduces Margaret with magic and the force of his personality. Leaving nothing but a note to Arthur, Susie and Porhoët behind, Oliver Haddo and Margaret Dauncey flee Paris and marry.

(W. Somerset Maugham wrote The Magician in London, England, after having lived in Paris).

The story includes much in terms of attempts to reconcile the suddenness and callousness of the above shift. The incredulity of the circumstances, the subterfuge and pettiness underpinning the change, and efforts to resolve the seemingly lost love and get to something just follow these initial and petty motivations. Comparisons to H. G. Wells and others follow with the subsequent plot points that follow.

(The plot of W. Somerset Maugham‘s The Magician is said to bear some resemblance to the George du Maurier 1894 novel Trilby).

While some of the underlying sense of manner and decorum within The Magician are clearly rooted in the years in which the story was written, there remains plenty of adventure and intrigue that sustained my interest through the reading. I found the underlying emotion and character deeply drawn and believable, while I needed to suspend some of the doubt in the magic and intrigue that hardly feels different than some popular storytelling of the modern day. I rate The Magician as written by W. Somerset Maugham at 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, April 23, 2022