War of the Worlds

[Scorch]

Alright, so, yeah, once again, Scorch makes a topic and Tom Cruise is (indirectly) chained to the thread.. shut up.

So i've been dying to see this movie for months.. and.. i'm kinda worried. Early reports are saying that it's Spielberg's worst movie to date and that it'll be a huge flop. Here's some early quotes from IMDB.. it's no secret that insiders DO post on IMDB, though they don't usually reveal themselves.. so take this for what it's worth.

I just saw WOTW - amazingly enough I could buy it on DVD already!

It's extremely dated - looks like it was filmed in the 50's!!

The acting is wooden, as are the sets and the Martians are in flying machines - not Tripods...... it's NOTHING like the trailers I've seen.

Spielberg shoud be ashamed trying to pass this off as a modern retelling of a classic story.

As a gagged member of the media whom attended the preview of 'WOW', let me make it clear to all lovers of the HG Wells classic... Spielberg’s interpretation is a heavy handed cheeseburger of a movie.

I really wanted to like this movie, honestly. It’s just that Wells’ apocalyptic material is so manhandled and sanitized that it simply loses its credibility and focus.

HG Wells' political allegory is reduced to a nauseatingly sentimental getting-to-know you Father/Daughter story. What? Is that meant to be engaging? Honestly, that material was handled better in ‘Curly Sue’.

The Aliens? There about as threatening as Ang Lee’s Hulk. They destroy everything in their path but kindly enough avoid killing anyone, then they just wilt away and die leaving Humanity with the opportunity to awarding of some big infrastructure re-build projects.

Tom 'The Glib' Cruise as a humble dockworker? Sorry, Tom, stick to psychiatry thanks, it being your specialty.

Fellow IMDb members, save your dollars/pounds/euros, go to a bookstore and pick-up a copy of Well’s visionary book (written in 1898!!) and try to forget about Hollywood’s cynical exploitation.

(sidenote: 1898?)

I've read on some threads that there is a rumor circulating in the media that this is Spielberg's worst film and that it will suffer from bad word of mouth and bomb. Supposedley this is the reason for the agressive marketing campaign and Tom and Katie's public love affair and the fact that Spielberg didn't show up for the New York Premiere or something? WTF! Is this just speculation or what?

Come on, really could it be worse than 'Hook'? For the sci-fi genre this looks like a sure fire success. It looks dark, gritty and realistic, far removed from the stereotypical candy flossed big budget crap.

I'm currently planning to see this movie Wednesday morning at the first showing.. but three negative reports.. and apparently the media is "gagged" and can't release reviews until Monday night.. but i've seen one review for it that said 10/10.. so.. who knows what's going on? Maybe it's a bunch of fanboys talking shit..

Howard Stern liked it..

listening to his show yesterday, howard mentioned goin' to NY premiere n likin' the flick very much. though he didn' elaborate on any details, the verdict was unambiguous: great entertainment. since I don' think he'd havta kiss cruise's or spielberg's asses for any reason, the movie doesn' have to be such disaster some'd like to make us belive.

Then again.. Stern likes a lot of things..

Here's a link talking about the review embargo: http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/va/20050623/111952176600.html

so.. thoughts? Anyone else hyped to see it?

[punqsux]

i havent seen it but it looks like total shit. i might check it out when it hits the dollar movies if i need a laugh/nap.

[Scorch]

And as a reward for sitting through this post, Enjoy the original radio broadcast of War of the Worlds (http://web.umr.edu/~taknnc/Audio%20Books%20Orson%20Welles%20-%20%20War%20of%20the%20Worlds%20-%20Original,%20Uncut.mp3), uncut. This is the radio program that sent people into a mass hysteria.. not everyone realized that it was a book/story, many thought aliens had landed, or something.

And the transcript (http://members.aol.com/jeff1070/script.html) of the broadcast.

[Saucy Jack]

I'm thinking about seeing it. I have 2 sets of 2 free ticket passes that I have to use before 7/31 on Fandango.

Looks very interesting. However, those reviews don't seem to be from the Tom Cruise War of the Worlds. The reviewer who says that he found the DVD for sale purchased a recent version that does indeed suck badly. Someone made a movie of War of the Worlds, and when the Tom Cruise version was announced, they sped up the production time and released the movie on DVD. Or something like that. I read an article about this a few days ago.

Of course, there are going to be many people who will hate on the movie, just because it isn't their cup of tea, or they hate Tom Cruise, or whatever.

If you want to see the movie, go for it.

[DT778]

i havent seen it but it looks like total shit. i might check it out when it hits the dollar movies if i need a laugh/nap.
word

[Saucy Jack]

I believe that this is the version that some of those people were reviewing:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425638

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009PW4D2/ref=ase_imdb-adbox/102-2431113-1534507?v=glance&s=dvd

[Scorch]

That was just the first guy. I think.

[KrazyKefka]

I'd say don't worry about and just go see it. I'd say it's best just to take the opinions of people on IMDB with a grain of salt. It's best not to take them too seriously IMHO.

[punqsux]

yeah i agree, if you think youll like it, go check it out, i hate blockbubter/speilberg/modern american movies ^^

[Scorch]

I think i'll see it regardless, the whole "oh god aliens from another planet!" topic almost always makes for an exciting movie.. except signs.

I must find this piano music playing in the WotW radio broadcast. It's got an older sound to it that makes it relaxing and very odd.. it gives off a "holy shit, something huge is going on but here's some music to help you relax" vibe..

[CoffeeEdge]

It's the big action movie. It's fun. It's cool-looking. Whatever. I like a variety of movies, and this one looks fine to me.

I'll definitely be seeing it, with a slew of pals.

[Scorch]

And as a reward for sitting through this post, Enjoy the original radio broadcast of War of the Worlds (http://web.umr.edu/~taknnc/Audio%20Books%20Orson%20Welles%20-%20%20War%20of%20the%20Worlds%20-%20Original,%20Uncut.mp3), uncut. This is the radio program that sent people into a mass hysteria.. not everyone realized that it was a book/story, many thought aliens had landed, or something.

And the transcript (http://members.aol.com/jeff1070/script.html) of the broadcast.

You guys should really listen to this.. if I heard this when it had originally aired, I would've pissed myself.. a lot of this sounds very convincing.. good stuff!!

[punqsux]

welcome to 1938 scorch =o)

[FriskyTanuki]

:lol: It is pretty convincing, but I found it funny that they just stop for breaks while things would be going on if it was real. I've got a ticket for Friday at $3, which I'm looking forward to.

[Ozzkev55]

:lol: It is pretty convincing, but I found it funny that they just stop for breaks while things would be going on if it was real. I've got a ticket for Friday at $3, which I'm looking forward to.
where do you go, where there is $3 movies, starting price around here is about 10 bucks, 6 dollar popcorn not included

[punqsux]

popcorn?1 youre no cheapass!

bring a backpack full of snacks in

[DT778]

where do you go, where there is $3 movies, starting price around here is about 10 bucks, 6 dollar popcorn not included
I remember him saying he got them from school. Special promotion or something like that.

And never buy anything at the movies. Take in a bottle of soda and some candy from 7-11.

[RAMSTORIA]

Fellow IMDb members, save your dollars/pounds/euros, go to a bookstore and pick-up a copy of Well’s visionary book (written in 1898!!) and try to forget about Hollywood’s cynical exploitation.

I have not seen it, but I 2nd this ten times over

[Scorch]

Alright.. now i'm really dying for this old sounding piano stuff.. if anyone knows where I can get it, that'd be great.. I love the crackling sound over the music itself, gives it an "old" feeling.. I would play something like that while playing Silent Hill or something.. i'm not really sure why, it just reminds me of a horror movie or game.. the whole twisted happiness/fear thing..

Good example starts about the 16 minute mark into the War of the Worlds radio play.. any help will be appreciated.. other than "piano music".. specifics would be nice..

[FriskyTanuki]

where do you go, where there is $3 movies, starting price around here is about 10 bucks, 6 dollar popcorn not included
My school got a large pack of tickets, so the price came down to $3 instead of the normal $6.50. I wish there was a dollar theater around here like there was back home, that's how I like to see my movies.

[Trakan]

Scorch <3's Tom Cruise more than Katie Holmes does.

[argyle]

I'm really looking forward to this myself. Then again, I'm a huge Speilberg fan. Speilberg and Burton are the two directors whose names alone will sell me on a movie, since neither one has let me down yet.

I also like to think I'm not quite as jaded as some. I like to watch off-the-wall, thought provoking movies. But I can also enjoy a good "check your brain at the door" action-fest from time to time. Variety is the spice of life, and all that crap. ;)

[Xevious]

With all due respect to Spielberg, I think he can sleep-walk through making this movie.

I like to see him do more challenging stuff. This movie seems nothing more than fluff. I'll still watch it though- but its still fluff.

[trytej]

I can't wait. It looks like its going to be really good. Probably not the best movie, that goes to Cinderella Man, but its going to be up there.

[tcrash247]

Ok, so I saw this tonight in Philly because my cousin won tickets for an advanced screening off the radio. Heres my verdict:

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

The graphics and effects are incredible. If you like destruction and people getting zapped, you'll love this. The robots that the aliens ride in are done top-notch. Their tentacles are pretty much like Doc Ock from Spidey 2, they walk on them and pick up humans. Speilberg definitely knows how to spend all that money that was thrown at him.

The acting wasn't all that bad. Tom Cruise was pretty believable with everything he was doing. He was scared most of the time, not taking much initiative, and he was good at it. Dakota Fanning was kind of annoying, but I expected that from her.

The story was good, but I'm not sure how much it was like the original. I know I've seen it, but it oh so long ago. I was telling my dad about the robots and how they got there and he kept saying thats not right. So, they might have screwed stuff up, but it was good from what I saw.

The only thing that I didn't like was the ending. I don't understand what happened. I won't say anything, but someone explain it when you see it please.

[Noodle Pirate!]

I can't imagine it would be much better or different then independance day. Aliens kick much ass, earth bands together to stop them, happy ending etc etc. Why bother ? I guess it's easier to remake a previous hit then create one of your own.
I''ll wait for it to be on free tv :P

[spoo]

tcrash247 thanks for the early review. I have been looking forward to this movie for some time now. I still remember my dad playing the WotW broadcast that he had on an album when I was a wee one about 20 years ago.

[Scorch]

Alright, I said screw it and bought tickets for the lady and I.. Wednesday afternoon at the first show, i'm there!

[Dante Devil]

Isn't Tom Cruise getting on eveyone's nerves? I read an article that many people may stay away from the movie because they are annoyed by Cruise's attitude. I read that in a copy of Entertainment Weekly.

[Vampire Hunter D]

OK well personally i think the movie looks execellent.

[Greetard]

I can't wait to see this.

Sin City: Check
Star Wars: Check
Batman: Check
War of the Worlds: Pending
King Kong: Pending

2005 Has been/is/will still be the best movie year in a long time.

[Greetard]

Whoops. :oops:

[Duo_Maxwell]

Well I've heard some insiders do post on imdb too, but posers, idiots, and losers also like to post crap there too so I would take any early "reviews" from there with a very large grain of salt.

[Saucy Jack]

Alright, I said screw it and bought tickets for the lady and I.. Wednesday afternoon at the first show, i'm there!

Hope you and your lady enjoy the show. :)

[Scorch]

Okay.. wow.

"Spielberg seems to have totally forgotten that he's a wuss, and plays this like the Holocaust and 9-11 combined."
-- Luke Y. Thompson, LYTRULES.COM

9 positive, 0 negative (as I type this), score is 100% (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/war_of_the_worlds/)

[The Successful Dropout]

yeah...i dont care what anybody here or there says....ever since i saw the preview for this when i went to see The Longest Yard, I've been waiting and waiting for this movie to come out....it looked bad ass to me and is the first movie in a lonnngggg time that ive wanted to see so badly that im going to the theater to see

[Scorch]

yeah...i dont care what anybody here or there says....ever since i saw the preview for this when i went to see The Longest Yard, I've been waiting and waiting for this movie to come out....it looked bad ass to me and is the first movie in a lonnngggg time that ive wanted to see so badly that im going to the theater to see

Same.. I'm glad the early reviews were wrong.. when I saw this, I was all "..holy shit!".. first movie i'm going to see in a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time.. I think the last movie I saw in the theatre (aside from Episode 3).. was.. well I was dragged to Hitch but I left halfway through so that don't count.. yeah, I think the last movie I saw in the theatre before this was The Incredibles.

[MaxBiaggi2]

Somehow the whole sentimentality angle of bringing a parent and child together during an alien invasion just doesn't work for me. Sure, I'll eventually see the movie on DVD just for the aliens and special effects, but I really couldn't care less about seeing an emotional bond bloom between Cruise and Fanning. Blah. . . :puke:

[evilmax17]

I dunno, I don't like Spielberg's new attitude (http://go.fark.com/cgi/fark/go.pl?IDLink=1546986&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.contactmusic.com%2Fnew%2 Fxmlfeed.nsf%2Fmndwebpages%2Fspielberg%20couldnt%2 0remake%20close%20encounters%20now%20hes%20a%20dad ). When you boil it down, he's all for happy endings and sappyness and not for endings that make you think.

Say goodbye to complexity in movies (not that there has been in quite awhile).

[ryanbph]

I am going to check it out, it isn't like I haven't wasted money on other shit in the past. If it sucks, oh well. If it is good, fantastic.

[The Successful Dropout]

Same.. I'm glad the early reviews were wrong.. when I saw this, I was all "..holy shit!".. first movie i'm going to see in a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time.. I think the last movie I saw in the theatre (aside from Episode 3).. was.. well I was dragged to Hitch but I left halfway through so that don't count.. yeah, I think the last movie I saw in the theatre before this was The Incredibles.

yeah, i was dragged to see The Longest Yard...which turned out to be not so bad...the last movies that i saw before that was Sin City, Dawn of the Dead & Wrong Turn....I usually only like going to the movies to see horror/zombie/alien movies

[The Successful Dropout]

Somehow the whole sentimentality angle of bringing a parent and child together during an alien invasion just doesn't work for me. Sure, I'll eventually see the movie on DVD just for the aliens and special effects, but I really couldn't care less about seeing an emotional bond bloom between Cruise and Fanning. Blah. . . :puke:

but Dakota Fanning is one of the best actresses in Hollywood....seriously

[spoo]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/war_of_the_worlds/

9/9 Fresh so far....Wow what a great start!

[SkyGheNe]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/war_of_the_worlds/

9/9 Fresh so far....Wow what a great start!

The one negative review brings up some good points.

[Scorch]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/war_of_the_worlds/

9/9 Fresh so far....Wow what a great start!

*thumbs up* for posting something I posted 6 or 7 posts ago :P

[Quackzilla]

Is this a joke topic? Those were [joke] reviews of the original WOTW movie.

[spoo]

*thumbs up* for posting something I posted 6 or 7 posts ago :P
Only one thumb up :( I wanted two.

[Scorch]

Only one thumb up :( I wanted two.

I typed "thumbs", as in multiple.. how do you get one?

[spoo]

I typed "thumbs", as in multiple.. how do you get one?
Wow I am a Re-Re today.

[Javery]

I'm really looking forward to this myself. Then again, I'm a huge Speilberg fan. Speilberg and Burton are the two directors whose names alone will sell me on a movie, since neither one has let me down yet.

You must not have seen "Hook" or "Planet of the Apes"...

[Xevious]

The early reviews are positive but it seems like they didnt like the ending though...

[tcrash247]

Same.. I'm glad the early reviews were wrong..

I gave it a good early review.

[the_gloaming]

I am looking forward to the movie. Hopefully it'll be better than everyone seems to think it is. I guess the only reviewer that really matters is yourself, though.

[evilmax17]

I just realized that this is going to be out at the same time as Herbie and Willy Wonka.

I think that sums up the current state of the film industry...

[AlbinoNinja]

what, that Lindsay Lohan's hot and people want to see a movie where children are humorously tortured? Cuz if thats the case then the industry is the best its been in years

[Hex]

what, that Lindsay Lohan's hot and people want to see a movie where children are humorously tortured? Cuz if thats the case then the industry is the best its been in years

Herby got awful reviews, and Wonka just looks hideous. Depp looks like Michael Jackson or something.

[argyle]

You must not have seen "Hook" or "Planet of the Apes"...

Saw both, and thoroughly enjoyed both. Thanks for trying tho! ;)

[eshbums]

I saw this last night at a sneak preview.

Here's my full review link (http://www.bumscorner.com/bumnuke/index.php?module=ProdReviews&func=showcontent&id=149).

It didn't suck by any means, it was just...bleh. Nothing spectacular. Decent effects, ho-hum acting.

But the very end was SO horribly Hollywood cute and cuddly that I wanted to flick a kitten in the head just to keep nature in balance.

[evilmax17]

what, that Lindsay Lohan's hot and people want to see a movie where children are humorously tortured? Cuz if thats the case then the industry is the best its been in years
Heh, dunno if you were being sarcastic, but they're all remakes (or an unneeded sequel to a dead outdated franchise in Herbie's case).

[Admiral Ackbar]

Wow I am a Re-Re today.


Trainable. The preferred term is "trainable."

:P

[b0bx13]

Depp looks like Michael Jackson or something.

I've been saying that since I saw the first preview :lol:

[FriskyTanuki]

I guess I need to learn to count, as the tickets I got for WotW are tomorrow at 1 PM. That makes it much better as I was wondering why the school would get a bunch of tickets for Friday and not the opening. :lol:

[The Successful Dropout]

anyone see it yet? i may go see it tonight or tomorrow by myself, provided my gf keeps pissing me off

[Scorch]

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So I just got back from seeing it. Starts out with Cruise leaving his job at the shipping yard and his employer begging him to stay, then his kids come over for the weekend.. stereotypical teenager (fuck off dad type) and the daughter, Robbie and Rachel. Robbie plays catch with Cruise, who's character name is not said that often so I don't remember it. Cruise gets pissed when Robbie moves and a ball flies through a window, so he goes to sleep.

He wakes up and Rachel's watching Spongebob and Robbie has stolen his car. He goes outside and it's windy and a storm is brewing or something. Electricity stops working and cars stop working. Robbie's by the house in his car. Cruise tells Robbie to go stay with Rachel. He makes his way downtown and they see a hole in the road. The road starts cracking and eventually takes out churches and whatever else in the coolest scene of the movie. He gathers Rachel and Robbie and leaves.

From there, it's them running from the machines.. that's about it. Nothing really to note. They go to Robbie and Rachel's parents (Cruise's ex-wife) house and they're gone. They go to the basement, lightning strikes again, they go to sleep, they wake up and there's a 747 in the yard.

A news crew shows up. They show Cruise footage of the lightning strikes.. apparently, the tripods are nothing more than markers and each lightning strike sends something from the sky to activate them.

The ending was awful. They show birds landing on the tripod machine, Cruise mentions the birds, and the machine falls over. He carries Rachel to her grandparents front door and it zooms out and all the machines have fallen.

It's an okay movie up until the end, the ending is one of the worst in recent memory and ends more abruptly than The Day After Tomorrow. Don't rush, you can wait for the DVD.

Funniest moment: Rachel: "ARE THESE TERRORISTS?!?!"

Coolest moment: Walking out of the theatre and hearing lightning, driving home and passing by an ambulance, then passing by a wreck.. kinda random.

5/10

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[Ledhed]

SPOILERS
REPEAT AD NAUSEUM







I just got back, and I gotta agree with Scorch here. Ending was remarkedly abrupt and quite lame. Way too many holes left open, and the few that get closed are done so with a "Hey! That's the way it went down!" kinda feel, particularly how Robbie made it to Boston after seperating from Cruise.

Hey Scorch, at the end when everyone is reunited and hugging eachother, were you expecting everyone but Cruise and Fanning to turn into aliens and surprise the two? Lord knows I was. But nope, I don't even get that kind of predictable outcome. Instead, we get little to no explanation as to why the tripods are failing. But, whatever.






END SPOILERS

[sblymnlcrymnl]

I may see it eventually, if only because it was partly filmed just blocks away from where my sister lives. :lol:

[Scorch]

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Hey Scorch, at the end when everyone is reunited and hugging eachother, were you expecting everyone but Cruise and Fanning to turn into aliens and surprise the two?


Nope, I was actually thinking "Damn, Grandma Ida's sweet potato pie really gets shit done!" I was also frustrated to see that everyone was okay and in the middle of a completely destroyed city, the grandmother's house was okay, as well as everyone else.. though I didn't see the stepdad, which could leave it open for Cruise and his ex-wife to hook back up.

I thought it was a really, really lame ending that brought the whole experience of the movie down. I liked how the kid was claustrophobic, I was suprised to see that the son survived, but damn, that ending just sucked all sorts of shit. It was a strictly action movie. If you think about it, they give no reason for them attacking (other than "it's an extermination!"), there's no plot, and it doesn't tell how they destroyed them. So.. the three most important elements in a film, and this film contains none of them.

It's dropped in the rottentomatoes.com review scale from 100% to 93% to 75% overnight.

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[crowbb]

I just saw it and it was the most hilariously bad movie I have seen since Battlefield Earth. It was so so terrible and yet highly amusing at the same time. I just have 2 words to say...PANTS LASER!

[doraemonkerpal]

I just saw it and it was the most hilariously bad movie I have seen since Battlefield Earth. It was so so terrible and yet highly amusing at the same time. I just have 2 words to say...PANTS LASER!

:puke: watching battlefield earth was like looking at a deadly traffic accident. it's gruesome and sick, but i couldn't help but watch lol. it was a horrible movie that never touched my dvd player again.

[Ledhed]

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Nope, I was actually thinking "Damn, Grandma Ida's sweet potato pie really gets shit done!" I was also frustrated to see that everyone was okay and in the middle of a completely destroyed city, the grandmother's house was okay, as well as everyone else.. though I didn't see the stepdad, which could leave it open for Cruise and his ex-wife to hook back up.




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I'm not putting up SPOILER headers anymore, because I'm lazy and you all know better anyways.

Yeah, how unaffected the grandparents seemed was what made me think they might be aliens. And the stepfather was there, he was standing behind the grandparents in the doorway.

[AlbinoNinja]

Heh, dunno if you were being sarcastic, but they're all remakes (or an unneeded sequel to a dead outdated franchise in Herbie's case).

yeah, i was sarcastic. Although i can't believe i didn't reilize the fact that they were all remakes/sequels

[Scorch]

I'm not putting up SPOILER headers anymore, because I'm lazy and you all know better anyways.

Yeah, how unaffected the grandparents seemed was what made me think they might be aliens. And the stepfather was there, he was standing behind the grandparents in the doorway.

I never even considered the fact that they could be aliens. I thought the aliens looked horribly cliche. Oh well.

[FriskyTanuki]

Just got back and I really enjoyed it. My roommate and I were a little baffled about the whole thing with Robbie at the end, but otherwise it was pretty good.

[Saucy Jack]

So, would anyone recommend that I go see this. My tickets would be free, but if it's not that good, I would just wait for DVD and use my freebies for something else.

[cgpwns]

I'm a little curious as to what the aliens look like, but other wise I'm not that interested in War of the Worlds.

There was a line of people at the theater this morning and they kept calling last night about a midnight show that didn't even exist (some people just came anyways while I was closing!). I was the only person in box office the entire day today! Those shaq fuing morons that "manage" the theater stole my bar stool used to elevate my leg, while I was on medical leave, and then they stick me out there to die from a heat stroke (the AC is broken) while dealing with retards who can't even pronounce the title War of the Worlds! I know they are southerners but jesus christ, how can you not be able to pronounce something like that?

I have yet to hear whether anyone liked the movie or not, but I'm not really that interested in it. I had a pretty good size line of people, but it never sold out. I got so sick of asking if "you wanna donate a dollar to the stars of hope". DO NOT EVER DONATE A DOLLAR TO THE STARS OF HOPE! It is a lie. Regal Entertainment Group gets a portion of every dollar, they force us to push them on every customermaking it sound like they are a nice charitable company or something.

[Ledhed]

I have yet to hear whether anyone liked the movie or not, but I'm not really that interested in it.

The majority of the movie is nicely paced and keeps the action going without losing your attention. But the ending will make you want to do irreperable damage to Speilberg.

[cgpwns]

The majority of the movie is nicely paced and keeps the action going without losing your attention. But the ending will make you want to do irreperable damage to Speilberg.

I suppose they could always do alternate endings on the DVD. Just so long as it isn't like on 28 Days later with that chicken and the one with just still pictures.

[FriskyTanuki]

The majority of the movie is nicely paced and keeps the action going without losing your attention. But the ending will make you want to do irreperable damage to Speilberg.
What were you expecting with the ending since the book and previous movies (at least the 50's version) had the same thing? The only thing I didn't like was the abrupt ending as you saw a few tripods go down then Ray's at the GPs' house in perfect shape. It might've been little vague on what went down, as well, but I got it.

[Tromack]

Ok, so I saw the movie today and while I can't fully recommend it, I have to say it isn't as bad as I expected. The first review is fully wrong. I doubt they even watched the movie. I don't know how someone who watched the movie could say that it didn't have Tripods. Fuck, they even call them Tripods in the movie.

[Kaijufan]

I saw War of the Worlds today with a few friends (for only $5.00!). I thought it was an ok movie. It was very much a summer "popcorn flick", which is what I was expecting. I didn't mind the ending at all, because I listened to the radio version of WotW a few years back, so I knew how it was going to end.
I can't wait to see this.

Sin City: Check
Star Wars: Check
Batman: Check
War of the Worlds: Pending
King Kong: Pending

2005 Has been/is/will still be the best movie year in a long time.
You forgot Serenity.

[Scorch]

Okay, let's set the record straight.. the movie is not bad. It's actually quite good. However, as Led said, the ending brings down the event as a whole, so it's not like it matters.. you'll enjoy yourself every second. The CG is absolutely amazing (I actually forgot it was CG!), Dakota and Tom give an outstanding performance (especially Tom running through the streets with the tripod shooting down at him), and it's chock full of action. I do recommend seeing it, but only once.. if you can get a ticket for $5, go see it. If you go in expecting an AMAZING movie, you'll be disappointed, but if you go in expecting to be entertained in the middle of summer, you will be.

[Saucy Jack]

Okay, let's set the record straight.. the movie is not bad. It's actually quite good. However, as Led said, the ending brings down the event as a whole, so it's not like it matters.. you'll enjoy yourself every second. The CG is absolutely amazing (I actually forgot it was CG!), Dakota and Tom give an outstanding performance (especially Tom running through the streets with the tripod shooting down at him), and it's chock full of action. I do recommend seeing it, but only once.. if you can get a ticket for $5, go see it. If you go in expecting an AMAZING movie, you'll be disappointed, but if you go in expecting to be entertained in the middle of summer, you will be.

Thanks for straightening things out. If I get a chance, I'll go check this movie out. The CGI was that good, huh? How was the music? Didn't John Williams score the movie?

[Scorch]

Thanks for straightening things out. If I get a chance, I'll go check this movie out. The CGI was that good, huh? How was the music? Didn't John Williams score the movie?

John Williams does not disappoint. The music's so good that you often don't even hear it, it blends in with the scene.

[Ledhed]

What were you expecting with the ending since the book and previous movies (at least the 50's version) had the same thing? The only thing I didn't like was the abrupt ending as you saw a few tripods go down then Ray's at the GPs' house in perfect shape. It might've been little vague on what went down, as well, but I got it.

I've actually never read/heard the original book/radio broadcast, so I had no predertiminations about the ending at all.

It's not really the ending that bothers me; I'm not upset at the fact that the family is reunited and can live happily there after. What bothered me were the gaping holes in plot (WHY were the things there? HOW EXACTLY were they defeated? HOW did Robbie stay alive and make it to Boston? etc).

[Saucy Jack]

John Williams does not disappoint. The music's so good that you often don't even hear it, it blends in with the scene.

Damn, that's great to hear. I think I will use a set of freebie tickets to check this out. I always tend to see at least one movie a year that may not qualify as being an awesome movie, but it doesn't fail to entertain.

Would you call this movie a popcorn flick? Being a popcorn flick isn't a bad thing. I like popcorn flicks, as long as they are entertaining. The world needs popcorn flicks sometimes; not every movie can be or has to be deep and meaningful.

[mmercer13]

Saw it tonight and it is every bit as good as anything else this year. VERY INTENSE AND DARK!!!!

[FriskyTanuki]

I've actually never read/heard the original book/radio broadcast, so I had no predertiminations about the ending at all.

It's not really the ending that bothers me; I'm not upset at the fact that the family is reunited and can live happily there after. What bothered me were the gaping holes in plot (WHY were the things there? HOW EXACTLY were they defeated? HOW did Robbie stay alive and make it to Boston? etc).
Yeah, if they had added 10 more minutes to flesh out some of those issues it would've been even better, but it was good enough for me. How they were defeated was just vaguely explained at the end when Morgan narrated at the end.

[Mike23]

I may be a fucking idiot...but just how exactly did the aliens die? water? life? organisms? so fucking confusing.

[WAJedi]

I'm gonna agree with what most everyone else said. It's got some great points to it, up untill the end. Morgan Freeman was a great narrator, John William's score is amazing, and the effects are stunning. The ending left me scratching my head, and I was VERY disappointed that the family was reunited. i'm not a dark person typically, I'm almost ok with the mom being alive, even though NY was ravaged, and it looked like Boston was barely touched. I'm NOT ok with the son making it. There is no way that his whole family would be ok after the alien invasion. Did anyone else notice all of the people taking pictures/video after the EMP went off in NYC?

[Xevious]

I enjoyed the movie alot.. My biggest problem though was the creature design. The alien in the 50's version of War of the Worlds was a lot cooler and evil looking.

[FriskyTanuki]

I may be a fucking idiot...but just how exactly did the aliens die? water? life? organisms? so fucking confusing.
Bacteria/Viruses, as we humans have become immune to them after millions of years and the aliens/martians were not. Thus there fate was sealed once they breathed Earth air.

[Scorch]

I may be a fucking idiot...but just how exactly did the aliens die? water? life? organisms? so fucking confusing.

Bacteria in the human body, I think, which makes no sense.. you think they'd have a great knowledge on humans, considering they've been stalking us for thousands of years.

[Negative]

Awesome action flick. Go see it.

[Xevious]

Bacteria in the human body, I think, which makes no sense.. you think they'd have a great knowledge on humans, considering they've been stalking us for thousands of years.

Thats in the book. Bacteria killed the aliens.

As for not making sense, Hell.....its not like war can be planned perfectly (by humans and aliens). Just look at the Iraq war. I think I made my point.

[Scorch]

Thats in the book. Bacteria killed the aliens.

As for not making sense, Hell.....its not like war can be planned perfectly (by humans and aliens). Just look at the Iraq war. I think I made my point.

There's a difference in the war in Iraq and the war in the movie.. the difference being that while there's no justification behind the war in Iraq, there are explanations.. whether it be the "fight against terrorism", fighting for oil, or W just finishing up what his dad started, there's an underlying reason.. in the movie, there's no reason. Aliens come out of the ground and kill for no reason. What was their purpose? It obviously wasn't taking over the planet.. if that was their goal, they would've taken over when they supposedly planted the stuff underground, when there were no humans..

[zionoverfire]

There's a difference in the war in Iraq and the war in the movie.. the difference being that while there's no justification behind the war in Iraq, there are explanations.. whether it be the "fight against terrorism", fighting for oil, or W just finishing up what his dad started, there's an underlying reason.. in the movie, there's no reason. Aliens come out of the ground and kill for no reason. What was their purpose? It obviously wasn't taking over the planet.. if that was their goal, they would've taken over when they supposedly planted the stuff underground, when there were no humans..

I really wonder if the whole purpose of the movie was to set up a sequel that won't explain any of this but will pretend to.

[crowbb]

No you weren't the only one to notice the cameras. In particular the guy with the video camera RIGHT AFTER the darned EMP when the aliens first appear and when he got vaporized they zoomed in on his clearly working video camera as it fell to the ground. I should watch it again and buy that brand. That's one tough camera! ;)

I'm gonna agree with what most everyone else said. It's got some great points to it, up untill the end. Morgan Freeman was a great narrator, John William's score is amazing, and the effects are stunning. The ending left me scratching my head, and I was VERY disappointed that the family was reunited. i'm not a dark person typically, I'm almost ok with the mom being alive, even though NY was ravaged, and it looked like Boston was barely touched. I'm NOT ok with the son making it. There is no way that his whole family would be ok after the alien invasion. Did anyone else notice all of the people taking pictures/video after the EMP went off in NYC?

[Droogs]

I have two parts that made me laugh:

The first was when the first alien came from the ground and a crack went down the street in a line and there just happened to be an exact line of people that just split. It was perfectly coreographed(sp?).

The second being when eveyone was trying to get on the ferry. In the shot before they pull up the litle bridge to get on, there are hundreds of people trying to get on. When they zoom out, there are like 50 people standing there trying to get on. It's just those types of little shortcuts that make it feel cheap for me.

[Greetard]

If you think about it, they give no reason for them attacking (other than "it's an extermination!")

It explained it in the beginning, when the movie was just switching between shots of people in busy cities. The aliens were more advanced than us, and were monitering us. But they were jealous of our quality of life, and wanted to destroy us because of that.

[A7las]

There's a difference in the war in Iraq and the war in the movie.. the difference being that while there's no justification behind the war in Iraq, there are explanations.. whether it be the "fight against terrorism", fighting for oil, or W just finishing up what his dad started, there's an underlying reason.. in the movie, there's no reason. Aliens come out of the ground and kill for no reason. What was their purpose? It obviously wasn't taking over the planet.. if that was their goal, they would've taken over when they supposedly planted the stuff underground, when there were no humans..


I'm pretty sure that their reason for doing so was to plant whatever that red weed stuff was. They were using human blood to "water their plants." However, the movie gives no explanation as to what the red vines are nor why they would need to be grown.

EDIT: It makes sense that they would plant their machines in order to wait for the day that there was enough people to water their gardens.

[chubs189]

i honestly liked the movie alot the ending had me alittle at odds i felt someone should have died lol also i honestly loved the fact they didnt take the approach of id4 and like show all the countries being destroyed and finding out the mother ship and then blowing it up type stuff to be honest i feel those kind of movies have been getting typical and this one just switched it up. the one thing i dont understand is how did they plant the machines in the first place and not realize they could be killed by inhaling our air. things should have been explained alittle more but then again its just a movie mad to be enjoyed for what it is

[Scorch]

It explained it in the beginning, when the movie was just switching between shots of people in busy cities. The aliens were more advanced than us, and were monitering us. But they were jealous of our quality of life, and wanted to destroy us because of that.

If they were more advanced than us, why would they want to monitor us?

And how did those aliens know to plant the stuff under the major US cities.. uninhabited planet and they manage to plant them under the future site of major US cities, what luck ;)

[CaseyRyback]

And as a reward for sitting through this post, Enjoy the original radio broadcast of War of the Worlds (http://web.umr.edu/%7Etaknnc/Audio%20Books%20Orson%20Welles%20-%20%20War%20of%20the%20Worlds%20-%20Original,%20Uncut.mp3), uncut. This is the radio program that sent people into a mass hysteria.. not everyone realized that it was a book/story, many thought aliens had landed, or something.

And the transcript (http://members.aol.com/jeff1070/script.html) of the broadcast.

thanks. We talked about this in film class the other day and it was cool to hear the actual radio broadcast