War Of The Worlds (2005) (2 Discs) (5.1/DTS)

Excelent special effects are this versions strong point, the tripods (alien machines ) are the best yet. The acting is middle of the road and the adaptation to a 20th/21st century American setting once again lets the story down.

Modern re-telling of the classic tale, which more or less keeps the exact same plot, just condensing a few of the characters to speed things along. The opening alien attack is the most stunning section, the dark gloomy road movie that follows keeps the attention, but the ending struggles to work as there is no attempt to add to the original Victorian "they all got a cold" conclusion. However, it's no worse than the finale of the previous few Spielberg efforts - let's pray Indy 4 doesn't suffer the same fate.

Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is a dock worker whose life is a shambles. He's alienated from his family, hated by his ex-wife and is generally set in his ways.

His small town life takes another turn for the worse when a meteor lands, not far from his home where huge tripod machines begin wreaking havoc on everything in sight.

The destructive intruders are alien life forms from another planet who have come with the sole intention of destroying Earth and all its inhabitants.

Although this is an ok blockbuster action film, it is still someway off from being a hit in my eyes. Tom Cruise is so miscast in this film with far too much emphasis put on he and his family rather than the real problem in hand i.e. that aliens are trying to take over the world!

Overall I give this 5/10 for being a reasonable if not stunning film. Suggestion "buy the original from 1953", it's definitely the definitive version.

but this film is ridiculous! It just is one of the worst films ive ever sat through. I wouldnt want you not to see it, just dont buy it but rent it instead. Everyone has differnt taste in films but i just warn you to rent it before you pay money for the dvd. I think you will thank me if you take my addvice. Hope this helps?

After seeing the fantastic original 1953 movie. I had high hope for this remake with Spielberg and Cruise behind the camera and production after seeing the brilliant "Minority Report". What did I get for this? A badly rushed cheaply made movie. Story is messy, Tom Cruise was crap. Felt like Steven Spielberg didn't care making this good and had rush this to make easy money. Don't help him out and stick to the original.