Kam-veat: I am a huge spielberg fan so was probably highly predisposed to like this film, and I did.

Kam-view:
Spielberg's take on the alien invasion genre is certainly different from everyone elses... except for, ironically enough the filmmaker he inspired, Shymalan. It's the same idea as Signs, where a global invasion is seen only through the eyes of one family's experience. It's far greater in scale as far as the action and destruction that we see, as in this case, it's a a full scale extermination by the aliens whereas in Signs, we werent really sure how much 'destruction' was going on around the world. The big massive special effects spectacle, however, takes backstage, which i thoroughly enjoyed. The scene they've been showing in the trailer of the highway being ripped like paper and trucks flying everywhere is obscured by the windows and headrests of the van Cruise and fam are driving in.

Spielberg puts the human element forefront, and the special effects (while crazy in scope) are all taking place behind them. The only problem is one third of the human element, his son, is a horrible character. The dad is an interesting one, cruise plays a bit of a prick of a dad who goes through what he needs to, to save his family. I know cruise isn't the most loved actor here, but i am a fan of his and he really does what he does SO well. (just like the tom hanks 'everyday' man variation roles that hanks does so well). here he is believable as the prick dad or at least i believed him. have to say all the hoopla with the katie holmes propaganda it didnt bug me at all any more than it didnt diminish my enjoyment of Batman Begins.

The daughter by dakato fanning is a little strangely too good. it's almost as if they need to establish every character she plays as some sort of protege because she is just TOO good, TOO smart, TOO mature for her age that as a 'normal' kid, she's not really believable. Albeit i still liked her in this movie, she's great, but its scary how mature you can see she already is at ELEVEN.

The son... couldnt stand him, wanted him dead from the third scene he's in onwards, the rebellious teen character is SO overdone that even spielberg cant save it here. Also, while his motivation is somewhat understandable, his actions make you go, "WTF?" The only wasted character in the story, but with 4 main characters, that's a chunk to waste.

Tim Robbins was awesome as the survivalist who goes batty. And here is where this movie really distinguishes itself just as (IMO) Signs did as well. There is a HUGE battle raging just outside this farm house where the military is launching an offensive/defensive? strike and we see a glimpse of it as one alien machine rises over a crest in spectacular flames, and then cruise and daughter run into the basement being signalled to safety by Tim Robbins. They don't see any more of the battle... so neither do we.

Instead of focussing on the war between the aliens and man, it turns into this pysch drama as robbins and cruise go at it against each other emotionally, mentally, and then physically, while also avoiding an alien tentacle with shades of The Abyss and the Jurassic Park 'raptor kitchen scene rolled into one.

The storyline really follows the book (which i just finished yesterday as well). I never saw the original WOTW, so i dont know how it compares, but it captures the feel of the book quite well (Although in a direct comparison so fresh in my mind, i liked the book better). While a War of the Worlds is going on, we only see this one dad's war to save his family, finally bond with his children, to gain their respect, and grow up himself. It's a great chance for a character arc when you change from a prick to a hero in the wake of human extinction.

There is, however, the coolest shot since the mirror reversal shot in Contact. While driving away from the masses in a minivan, in one long (seemingly at least) continuous take, the camera starts on the driver's side of the car, enters through the rear window, stays in the back seat looking out the front window, then goes back out to the passenger side, pulls away from the car to reveal it in its entirety as the car swerves to avoid other cars, and then swings across the front of the car to go back to the driver side and then to the front hood... all while a tense dramatic scene unfolds between father and children as they escape from the attacking aliens. I am praying they didnt use ILM for this shot but that Janusz (spielberg's long time cinematographer) figured out some amazing way to pull it off. Look for this shot (early on after they get in the car and are speeding down the highway amid all the dead cars) and tell me what you think, or if you see any telltale cgi artifact signs.

Beautifully chilling imagery in the movie too, best shot being the clothes falling from the sky like snow as the family walks through the lighted forest... gave me chills.

OK, now everyone's favorite section:

Kam-rant:
It's winter, or close to it with snow falling in some scenes, and they all jump in the freezing new england water, and get out, and no one shivers???
Morgan Freeman's opening and closing voice overs sounded a little dead, the man has an unbelievabley emotive, "storytelling" voice, let him play! He sounded very monotone, which is tough given his natural range just when he speaks.
That's it really, the rest of it is well thought out, and the suspension of belief rules keep throughout, they dont change the rules around as needed by the story, so an overall pretty weak Kam-rant section, but just wait for the Island, after seeing bay's latest summer blockbuster (albeit his first without producer bruckheimer) i am sure the kam-rant section will be back in full force.

(SIDE NOTE: King Kong trailer looks unbelievable. December can't get here soon enough.)

peace
k2
:d