Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4451 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-11-14
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Anamorphic, Box set, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 112 minutes

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

DVD Description
Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, staring international superstar Tom Cruise. A contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells’ seminal classic, the sci-fi adventure thriller reveals the extraordinary battle for the future of humankind through the eyes of one American family fighting to survive it.

Synopsis
One cannot help but think of terrorist attacks while watching Steven Spielberg's update of the classic sci-fi fantasy THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. While the H.G. Wells story dates back to 1898, and has inspired previous adaptations, this particular version feeds off its 21st century audience's fear of a terrorist-induced apocalypse. Even if the sight of tall buildings crumbling to the ground and crowds running fearfully away from their demise doesn't trigger post-9/11 paranoia, dialogue such as Is it the terrorists? will. Disgruntled, divorced father Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is struggling to connect with his estranged kids, who have been dropped off by their mother for the weekend, when a severe and unusual lightning storm leaves his New Jersey neighbourhood powerless. Over the course of the next few hours, it becomes obvious that this was not a storm at all, but rather the first sign of a worldwide alien attack. Emerging from the ground in multi-legged tripod-like machines that have apparently been stored beneath the earth's surface since before man's time, these aliens begin the process of waging a long-planned war on our planet. While WAR OF THE WORLDS follows Ray's growing closeness with his two children (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) in the face of imminent disaster, and his transformation from lousy father to hero, their story is used mostly as a vehicle for illustrating an unending series of horrific scenarios. The human element of the story is also briefly explored with Tim Robbins's portrayal of a crazed, alien-fighting recluse. Sticking closely to Wells' original descriptions of alien warfare, the film focuses mainly on visuals and succeeds through impressive special effects to create two hours of thrilling, frightening, realistic terror.

Customer Reviews

Decent but not great
I reckon this could have been really, really good. As it is its hardly appalling but it does seem to lack that extra something. The special effects are impressive and although the premise is well known by all this take on it is perfectly reasonable. Maybe its the overacting from Dakota Fanning that lets things down a touch. Tom Cruise puts in a decent enough performance but I felf Tim Robbins efforts in his cameo was a let down for someone so good. Although the setpieces are executed brilliantly the parts that tie these together is where there is a little bit of a let down. Don't think I don't like or enjoy this film - I do (and yes I've watched it several times since purchasing it). I just think there was an opportunity here that was missed despite the fact that War of the Worlds is good it could have been fantastic. However, at this price its a bargain and is the perfect sort of film to eat pizza to on a Friday night. Enjoy.

Where exactly was the War?
Over the past few years Spielberg has come out with A.I, Catch Me if you can, Minority Report and The Terminal, none of these are really vintage Spielberg (Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan) and as for War of the Worlds well it sits some where in between this mish mash. As a film that strikes terror and fear into the viewer it succeeds in part, well at least the first hour does. But then Mr Spielberg decides to go into the fantasy land he exposed us to towards the second part of A.I, which just blows apart all the hard work used to build up the atmosphere in the first part, and the story spirals out of control from this point and ends abruptly in a pile of crap !
The story centres around a troubled family, Ray (Tom Cruise) is a divorced father with an estranged teenage son and a 10 year old daughter he never even knew was allergic to peanuts ! As the kids are dropped off with Ray for the weekend the film exposes us to Ray's strained relationship with his kids, but before we're able to say "what a bad father he is" all hell breaks loose and the streets of New Jersey begin ripping up beneath our families feet.
From here on Ray takes charge and takes his kids and flees the town, whilst watching innocent people being vaporised in his rear view mirror. All Ray wants to do is keep his kids safe, this is where the film does a very commendable job, you really believe Ray wants to make up for all the years of bad fathering and neglect he's put these kids through and if he can do one thing its at least keep them safe.

The terror of the earth being attacked by Aliens is not a new theme (Independence Day, Men in Black) but rarely is it explored for the "fear" point of view, and the widespread panic and evacuations of the cities is filmed really well, I was really enjoying watching the panic stricken people creating such a manic atmosphere up until we're introduced to a troubled new character who has little justification to the story (Tim Robbins), then we are suddenly almost rushed into being introduced to the aliens and their reason for invading the planet. From the scene where Tim robbins character is introduced to where Ray takes down one of the Alien's Tripod machines the film feels rushed, unexplained and looses all the suspense and thriller aspect Spielberg had done so well to create in the first part.
It really does the job of leaving a bitter after taste in your mouth, Tom Cruise can't be blamed, he does his best with an inadequate plotline, Dakota Fanning as the terrified daughter plays it well and really hooks you in with her performance, its not the worst movie of the year, but it certainly ain't the "summer Blockbuster" we were all expecting.

The War to end All Wars...
Synopsis: Ray Ferrier (Cruise) is blue-collar, working class Dock Worker in New Jersey. Estranged from his wife (Otto) and to kids Rachel (Fanning) and Robbie (Chatwin), Ray reluctantly agrees to look after his kids one weekend. But, during a freak lightning storm, all electrical items stop work, and a hole has appeared in the middle of a busy street. Suddenly, the ground caves in, and a 200ft Tripod emerges from the ground, and begins to incinerate everything and everyone in its path. It's a fight for survival, as Ray tries desperately to get his kids to safety.

Review: After following this movie, from its initial production, to release, one could say I was almost obsessed. That may be so. But the wait was well and truly worth it. Spielberg considers this the third in his "trilogy". First he have us "Close Encounters" back in the 70's, "E.T" in the eighties, and now, he's bringing us the War to end all Wars! No cute and cuddly aliens phoning home here. Based on the classic sci-fi novel by H.G Wells, the setting has moved from Victorian england, to New Jersey, USA today. Most people would think that would be highly ridiculous. I did. But after seeing it, I was left breathless.

This isn't your conventional alien invasion movie. The film is told through the eyes of Ferrier and his family, and surprisingly, the special effects take a back seat. Altho, the set pieces are dazzling, and the special effects ARE incredible. As soon as the first fighting machine emerges from the ground, you know you are about to experience a white-knuckle ride of emotions, fear and danger. The Tripods are huge, armed with heat-rays, and truly look like some huge mechanical animal. They stomp and blast their way across america, causing chaos, death and destruction. The scene involving a Ferry, and an underwater tripod is heart-stopping, and you see just how savage these invaders are. The designs are amazing, and you will be left breathless!

Which brings me to how graphic this movie actually is. This has to be, the most violent and disturbing film Spielberg has done. The body count is enough to rival a stallone movie, with countless deaths happening towards the beginning. I would definately advise a screening before you consider taking children to see it. Seeing dead bodies floating down a river in dozens is enough to frighten anyone, especially a child.

There are several elements of the book still kept in, so we do get to see some red weed! However, for the new movie, it has a grotesque way of being fertilised! I shall say no more.

My only Gripe, is Tim Robbins. Usually, a fantastic actor, I felt he was totally wasted in this movie. Firstly, he was called Ogilvy (who is an astonomer in the novel), who is an ex-paramedic/security guard who has gone mad and is lurking in his basement as the war wages on outside. But, it felt as though Spielberg had tried to cram so many elements of the book in, he came across as three characters in one! The Curate, The Artilleryman, and of course, Ogilvy. This made the character annoying, unbearable, but somehow, managed to capture the essence of insanity in a crisis.

There are plenty of nods to the 1953 George Pal "War of the Worlds" with a creepy basement scene involving a martian camera! And the ending is lifted straight from the original movie! Those who have read the book, or seen the '53 movie, will know how the film ends. It did feel rather rushed. One minute, we were faced with an exciting, action packed sequence, then it was all over. Fan's won't be disappointed, but for new-comers, the ending might feel a bit tacked-on, and not really do the rest of the movie any justice.

Over all, Spielberg has not disappointed, and Fans and newbies are sure to love the top-notch special effects, explosive action sequences, and the human emotion as refugees flee across the states to safety.