I was lucky, or unlucky, enough to see War of the Worlds last night.
Yes, you guessed it.
I wasn’t as impressed by it as I would have liked to have been.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, you know that its been made with a massive budget. And from a technical point of view it probably is a masterpiece of CGI. The visual effects throughout the film are impressive, but why did I find myself fidgeting?
One possible explanation is the director himself. Spielberg has made some of cinema’s more memorable moments. Who can forgot the power of Schindler’s List? Or, if you are old enough, the haunting notes of First Encounters?
With a track record like his it is doubtful that a studio would dare cut scenes without the director’s explicit permission. And that is the problem. The editing, or maybe the lack of it.
The opening scenes build up a clear picture of the main protagonist, Ray (Cruise) and his relationship with society and his children.
So we have characterisation, one which is extended nicely with the other characters. What we don’t have is pace or continuity, or at least that was the impression I got.
The action is completely disjointed. There are some fantastic scenes with the alien tripods and the humans being exterminated – hardly a spoiler as this is a remake/reworking – but it doesn’t seem to hang together. It’s as if you were looking at a messy patchwork quilt. Some of the squares are missing, some are in the wrong place and others simply should not be there at all.
If you enjoy special effects or are a Tom Cruise fan wait until it comes out on DVD, as it is not worth the €7.50 it cost me to see it.
If you really want War of the World’s then why not listen to the version with Burton?
![The War of the Worlds [7-disc Collector's Edition]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0009MA932.02._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
War of the Worlds.. an epic or a flop?
Thanks for the review, even though I wan’t going to the cinema to watch it anyway. I’ll never pay money to support a Scientologist in any shape or form. Plus having to watch his lack of acting skills is a large hurdle to overcome on the big screen (why DO screenwriters re-write scripts just so he can take on the lead role?). All IMO of course 🙂
Lee
I can tell you are a closet Tom Cruise fan, really 🙂
Cruise isn’t the weak link. In fact, I don’t have anything against him, although I am jealous of him dating the lovely Penelope Cruz.. but that’s a different story (my penchant for Spanish women should not cloud my views of his acting)
Michele
I sat through War of the Worlds and thought it was disappointing. I preferred Batman Begins because I guess I need my summer cinema to have real superheroes.
Bernie
Batman Begins is in a completely different league 🙂
I was going to post a review of it, but I get more time for blogging at weekends than I do during the week.
Michele
Seen Sin City yet? Best film of 05 so far IMO (with Endless Sunshine of the Spotless Mind being the best of 04 – just as a comparison).
Lee
I haven’t seen Sin City yet, but I’ve heard good reviews.
Endless Sunshine … was a revelation
Michele
Michele,
If you too had celebrity news forced on you against your will, would know that Tom Cruise is actually engaged to marry Katie Holmes (used to be on an american show called “Dawsons Creek” and been in a few films).
To be honest, I think Penelope would have been a much better choice…
A random link to some news about said marriage is here
David
David
I did hear something vague about Katie Holmes and him, but I doubt if it will last. He does seem to have a knack for attracting attractive women though.. Maybe I’m just jealous?
Michele
PS: Engaged != married