War of the Worlds, The (2005)
Genre Action; Adventure; Sci-Fi; Thriller
Studio Paramount Pictures
Movie Release Date 08-Jul-05
Country USA
Language English
Audience Rating PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Running Time 1 hr 56 mins
Format DVD+R
Color Color
IMDb Rating 6.8
Cast
Tom Cruise Ray Ferrier
Dakota Fanning Rachel
Tim Robbins Harlan Ogilvy
Justin Chatwin Robbie
Miranda Otto Mary Ann
Rick Gonzalez Vincent
Yul Vazquez Julio
Lenny Venito Manny the Mechanic
Lisa Ann Walter Bartender
Ann Robinson Grandmother
Gene Barry Grandfather
David Alan Basche Tim
Roz Abrams Herself
Michael Brownlee TV Reporter, Osaka
Camillia Sanes News Producer
Marlon Young News Cameraman
John Eddins News Van Driver
Peter Gerety Hatch Boss/Load Manager
David Harbour Dock Worker
Miguel Antonio Ferrer Brazilian Neighbor
Les Tremayne Maj. Gen. Mann
Robert Cornthwaite Dr. Pryor
Sandro Giglio Dr. Bilderbeck
Lewis Martin Pastor Dr. Matthew Collins
Houseley Stevenson Jr. Gen. Mann's aide
Paul Frees Second Radio Reporter/Opening Announcer
William Phipps Wash Perry
Vernon Rich Col. Ralph Heffner
Henry Brandon Cop at Crash Site
Jack Kruschen Salvatore
Cedric Hardwicke Commentary
Crew
Director Steven Spielberg
Writer H.G. Wells
Writer Josh Friedman
Writer David Koepp
Producer Kathleen Kennedy
Producer Colin Wilson
Director Byron Haskin
Writer Barré Lyndon
Producer George Pal
Producer Frank Freeman Jr.
Musician Leith Stephens
Cinematography Georges Barnes
Plot
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 (Jaws, 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
Personal Details
My Rating 4
Seen It Yes
Viewing Date 23-Jul-05
Index 504
Collection Status In Collection
Condition COPY
Links Amazon UK
Amazon US
IMDB
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.de
Amazon.fr
Amazon.ca
Movie Collector Connect
IMDB
Edition Details
Edition COPY
Region All
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio 1.33 (4:3)
Subtitles Portuguese
Audio Tracks 2.0
Layers Single Side, Single Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1