War of the Worlds

[grantrl78]

I hate tom cruise. he is a numbskull. And eventhough most of the critics
hated wotw I kind of liked it. I loved the first hour or so most. When
the first tripod shows up and starts vaporizing people I was really
stoked. It is brutal to watch. Kind of like the begining of saving private ryan.
I hated the end of that one too. Visually the movie is really good.
Alot of reviews say that it plays on the american war on terror. But I
would say that it is more probably about how the iraqi people
must feel right now.I think this is one of the better summer action
movies ever. Better than id4 anyway. Just wish it wasn't so
happy at the end. Should be darker.

[subyfanatic]

I've only read the book, about 18 years ago. I'll wait for this one on DVD. The only part that interests me [because of where I live] is that H.G. Wells based the story in NJ.

[grantrl78]

I read it and F-451 in highschool. Seemed kind of boring then.
I liked dune better .
And they reak some serious havoc on NJ.
There is a battle scene where the army is fighting the tripods 1/2 way
through and it is very cool. Really effective.
Amazing production and cgi. The aliens aren't very original. But the machines are badass.
They aren't like the one up there. Much cooler.
And the tone of the movie is almost like a nuclear war film like testament
or the day after.Very disturbing. Kind of 50's or 80's propaganda. I love that kind of stuff.

[KustmAce]

Just wish it wasn't so
happy at the end.

How come no one is ever happy with film makers? If they stick to the book the ending is to happy? If they changed it people would pissed for that. Sheesh.

Damn good movie though. Seen it twice.

[subyfanatic]

Yeah, film makers have to be careful with changing too many aspects from the original. I mean, look what Joel Schumacher did to the Batman franchise.

I love Batman but Schumacher totally destroyed him with the nipple suit and the colorful campiness of the 70s TV series. Batman Begins has definitely lived up to the reputation of the Dark Knight.

[grantrl78]

Let me quote myself too.
"I think this is one of the better summer action
movies ever."
And it also changed many things from the book for the better.
Example: Tripods came from underground. Looks much cooler.

My main gripe is with the son living. I mean that was just cheese. And
what made it seem lame is the army scene where ray lost him was so powerful.
The whole first 3/4 of the movie sets us up for that loss.
The emotional impact of WotW was totally cheapened by the fact that the whole family came through unscathed.

I love spielberg but he too can put out crap - see the terminal,1942
and Hook. This one is in the middle. Not as good as jaws or as bad as hook.
But better than most summer movies.

And I loved batman begins too! Better than all of the others.

[subyfanatic]

Try not posting any spoilers for the people that haven't seen it.

[grantrl78]

More spoilers:
They all die from human pathogens.
Which is kinda lame because you would figure that
an advanced civilization that could perfect space travel
would understand medicine. But the book is from the 19th century, so I guess I should cut it some slack.
Come to think of ot - why wouldnt they use bio warfare
on us instead of zapping us one at a time. Imagine
killing an ant bed one ant at a time Zap - zap - zap!
Reload - zap.... repeat.
Nutz!

[Mshkttck]

I would like to see an alien invasion movie from the alien's point of view...

Or an alien invasion movie where HUMANS invade THEIR planet

Or an alien invasion movie where BOTH species die when they try to break the stalemate by finally resorting to a massive nano-war.

anything but the standard theme of technologically advanced alien invaders bent on the destruction of humans, where we somehow win against all odds with some bright idea.

[99civichic]

What I don't understand about the movie is this--if these aliens were advanced enough to plant these machines hundreds of years or so before man settled the area, why not just take over the world then, when there are no men to fight back? That one thing basically ruined its credibility for me. And no, the son should not have lived. The movie I'd say was 80% good, but then the end was just too silver-platter Hollywood for me. Don't keep me on the edge-of-my-seat-twisting-my-napkin-in-two suspense, only to make me feel like I just watched a Disney movie when it's over!

But man, Dakota Fanning was INTENSE. That little girl is a great actress. Here's hoping she doesn't go the way of Drew Barrymore.

[grantrl78]

Man it does seem like with the millions they spent on these things that they
could come up with some original
screen plays. And didn't the book have it where the aliens
built the tripods after they landed to attack? That would make more sense!
Still it looked cool to see em come from underground. And god spielberg loves sappy endings!
It is almost like he planned this one to have a gloomy
end and then he changed it at the last minute.
Gotta make it kid friendly. I loved fanning too.
She rules! What a pretty smart little kid.
Cruise did a great job too.
Plays a great asshole father.

[KustmAce]

Originally Posted by grantrl78

Still it looked cool to see em come from underground. And god spielberg loves sappy endings!
It is almost like he planned this one to have a gloomy
end and then he changed it at the last minute.
Gotta make it kid friendly.

READ THE DAMN BOOK before dissing the director.

Oh ya, and Dakota Fanning > All

[grantrl78]

Ace, I have an idea, why dont you read the book.
My thread is about the movie or about my art. Seems you skipped that part.
And if I want to trash spielberg for making a flawed movie out
of what started as an all time classic, that is what i will do.

[KustmAce]

Originally Posted by grantrl78

Ace, I have an idea, why dont you read the book.
My thread is about the movie or about my art. Seems you skipped that part.
And if I want to trash spielberg for making a flawed movie out
of what started as an all time classic, that is what i will do.

Alright. My bad for letting this topic get a little OT. Won't happen again.

There is a discussion about the movie going on the the Television/Film section of Coffee Break. If you wish to further comment on the movie, feel free to do it there.

Comments in this thread will pertain to the posted art or will be locked.

[wouter1981]

it was an incredibel stupid movie, expecially the ending... those aliens were SO advanced but they "forgot" about the microorganisms??? COME ON!!!