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Amazon.co.uk Review
Despite super effects, a huge budget, and the cinematic pedigree of alien-happy Steven Spielberg, this take on H.G. Wells's novel is basically a horror film packaged as a sci-fi thrill ride. Instead of a mad slasher, however, Spielberg (along with writers Josh Friedman & David Koepp) utilizes aliens hell-bent on quickly destroying humanity, and the terrifying results that prey upon adult fears, especially in the post-9/11 world. The realistic results could be a new genre, the grim popcorn thriller; often you feel like you're watching Schindler's List more than Spielberg's other thrill-machine movies (such as Jaws or Jurassic Park). The film centers on Ray Ferrier, a divorced father (Tom Cruise, oh so comfortable) who witnesses one giant craft destroy his New Jersey town and soon is on the road with his teen son (Justin Chatwin) and preteen daughter (Dakota Fanning) in tow, trying to keep ahead of the invasion. The film is, of course, impeccably designed and produced by Spielberg's usual crew of A-class talent. The aliens are genuinely scary, even when the film--like the novel--spends a good chunk of time in a basement. Readers of the book (or viewers of the deft 1953 adaptation) will note the variation of whom and how the aliens come to Earth, which poses some logistical problems. The film opens and closes with narration from the novel read by Morgan Freeman, but Spielberg could have adapted Orson Welles's words from the famous Halloween Eve 1938 radio broadcast: "We couldn't soap all your windows and steal all your garden gates by tomorrow night, so we did the best next thing: we annihilated the world." --Doug Thomas, Amazon.com
Product Description
Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin, Tim Robbins, Rick Gonzalez & Yul VazquezDirector: Steven Spielberg
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One day (he said hopefully) someone will make WOTW the way it was written, in Victorian England, with the British Empire at the height of its powers (but relatively primitive by today's standards) confronted with a vastly superior technology and without the imagination to cope (back then, science fiction as a literary genre was Wells and Jules Vernes and that was about all). I found this a weak effort, which proved that Dakota Fanning could scream very well but not much else. Probably (just) worth it for the SFX; it was pleasing to see at last Wells's tripod monsters strutting the landscape (it was beyond the ability of George Pal in 1953 to create effectively, which is why he chose the hovering machines). The definitive version remains to be filmed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One of the geuninely great modern directors produces a very uneven film, with losts of good images, some reasonable performances from the leads, but incredibly stupid plot points, that show contempt for the audience, and for the source story. The most appalling part is the idea that the Martians were there all along, completely undermining the whole ending. If they've already been to Earth/are waiting to be revived, how come they're susceptible to an Earth-based disease? As tenuous, scientifically speaking anyway, this part of the story is, having them already here makes it total rubbish. Did Spielberg not read or understand that? And then why wait to take over the earth, why not do it when they first arrived? Utter tosh. Similarly, Cruise and the kids emerge from a ruined house, and neighbourhood, with a crashed jet strewn everywhere- expect on their completely unscathed car, and a neat route through which it can drive; Tiny Tom Cruise kills massive Tim Robbins in hand to hand combat? (and then presumably faces murder charges, a few days later?); An army platoon is decimated by the martians, but Tom's kid gets to Boston unscathed? And finally, Tom gets to Boston to find the family all sitting in the entirely undamaged house, street etc.- why didn't they run for the hills rather than just wait for Tom to turn up? There's always a suspension of disbelief in movies, but these are major problems. Spielberg has made several of the great movies of the last 30 years, but despite the box office receipts this is not one of them.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
War of the Worlds is one of those rarities; a remake better than the original. The 50's version had great effects for it's time but not a lot else; 1 dimensional characters and not much plot. This time round we also have great effects, a little more plot but much better characters. The film focuses on one small family rather than look at the whole world's reponse to the invasion, as is often the case with this type of film. War of the Worlds benefits from this sole focus on the family, and Tom Cruise gives a good if not great performance as do the other actors.
From looking at the reviews of this blu-ray version of the film I seem to be in the minority here in actually approving of the transfer, at least on Amazon anyway. The film, as it was meant to be, has a very grainy transfer, so those that don't have time for these appearances be warned. Some have commented that it is no better than the DVD version. Well I watched the blu-ray and then popped in my old DVD version for comparison afterwards; the Blu-ray does provide much improvement on the DVD so I would recommend others consider upgrading too. If in doubt I would recommend reading the reviewer's review on the blu-ray.com website for an accurate description of the video quality of this version.
From looking at the reviews of this blu-ray version of the film I seem to be in the minority here in actually approving of the transfer, at least on Amazon anyway. The film, as it was meant to be, has a very grainy transfer, so those that don't have time for these appearances be warned. Some have commented that it is no better than the DVD version. Well I watched the blu-ray and then popped in my old DVD version for comparison afterwards; the Blu-ray does provide much improvement on the DVD so I would recommend others consider upgrading too. If in doubt I would recommend reading the reviewer's review on the blu-ray.com website for an accurate description of the video quality of this version.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
War of the world
It's blue ray but my DVD is more quality than amazon blueray.
Not recommended at all coz little difference at HMV and real blueray quality.!!
Not recommended at all coz little difference at HMV and real blueray quality.!!
Published 17 days ago by Shane
Uneven Dazzler
The good aspects of this film (possibly the only Hollywood product of the past 15 years which I've watched more than twice) are so good as to bump up my rating for it in the face... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Reimer
5 Stars for Acting and Special Effects
I was wondering whether to watch this film after all the bad reviews but I am so glad I did (I would like to say though I havent read the book)! Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Christodoulou
I love the film but....
I love this film, have had the dvd for years and was looking forward to upgrading it to a Blu, what a mistake :( the picture is truly awful whether or not it's supposed to have the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by M. Owen
Worst picture quality of Blu-ray I've seen!!
I purchase Blu-ray's because I want a picture better than VHS, DVD or HDTV.
Not with this disaster. This is no better than VHS. It is a grainy mess. Read more
Not with this disaster. This is no better than VHS. It is a grainy mess. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. D. M. Witchalls
don't listen to the other reviews
DON'T LISTEN TO THE OTHER REVIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are talking rubbish. this is an excellent bit of film! the acting in this film is incredible. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Supermelon27
AMAZING
amazing film, love tom cruse in it, plays wonderfully in my cd player. good quality plays perfectly and brilliantly :)
Published 3 months ago by Lyd
One of the best films ever made
Steven Spielberg proves once again that he is one of the best directors ever to grace hollywood. And here he updates the cheesy original film by giving it a modern setting, superb... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sam
Excellent
This book arrived on time and was quicker than i thought. It came in good condition and i will use this buyer again. Read more
Published 4 months ago by samantha1987
On my list of Top Ten Films
I loved this film at the cinema and just HAD to buy the DVD asap. I found it gripping, scary and well acted. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Amanda
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