When Paramount Studios decided to make the 1953 version of "War of The Worlds" they were taking quite a risk. Science fiction was not a proven genre at that time and the special effects needed to do justice to the H.G. Well's classic on the big screen were in their infancy. In spite of this the studio made the picture and it was an instant success, a true classic. It still holds up today, 52 years later. Having said that, and knowing that this is the age of remakes, it was inevitable that someone would attempt it. We are all lucky that that someone was Steven Spielberg. Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is a divorced father of two who gets the kids dropped off with him for the weekend. He's never been much of a dad and doesn't seem to care about much of anything. Just as the kids' visit begins there is a strange lightening storm. It disables every electrical device and all motor vehicles. As the bewildered people start to wonder what's going on, the ground opens up and large, alien machines emerge and begin killing and destroying everything in sight. Ray must take his kids and escape, but where to and from what? Survival becomes harder and harder as he tries to hold his family together and get to safety. Good luck! Remakes are risky, especially when the original was great. Spielberg used all of his skills and state of the art effects, not to eclipse the 1953 version, but to make a new one that stands on it's own. First, he stuck very close to the original Well's story, only updating it to present day. Second, he used suspense to keep us on the edge of the seat, while scaring the shit out of us. Third, the cast was perfect. Cruise underplayed his role in the way that a not so great father would act in that situation. The two kids, played by Justin Chatwin and Dakota Fanning, were rebellious and scared to death, while trying to accept their father's first time leadership as he is forced into being "Dad". In another brilliant piece of casting, Spielberg gave us a nice taste of nostalgia with Gene Barry and Ann Robinson as the kids' grandparents. They were the two leads in the 53 version and the cameo was a surprise (not anymore). This was a well made and exciting example of story-telling. It took off like a rocket and never let go until, "The End". I take nothing away from the original when I say, I liked it. "They're going to keep coming!" RECOMMENDATION: I think there is a place for remakes and this picture proves it. Go see it and if you can, see the original also. They are BOTH good science fiction. The 2005 version is rated PG 13 for extreme sci fi violence. TWO REMADE, BUT WELL MADE THUMBS UP!!! Movie Review © 2005 by Terry Anderson |
