War of the Worlds

Rating: n/a
Release Date: 2005/06/29
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast:Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, Dakota Fanning

By Chen Ming-Ren Translated by Cara Steenstra

4 1/2 stars out of 5-

Long-awaited "War of the Worlds" is the first sci-fi movie collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise since "Minority Report". Apart from Cruise, the stellar cast includes Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins, Miranda Otto, David Alan Basche and Justin Chatwin.

This film describes how, at the beginning of the 21st century, while human beings are busy with their everyday lives, alien creatures more intelligent than us are silently studying us. Humans are very proud of their achievements, and continue to fight wars across the world in order to consolidate their authority. In the meantime, ruthless alien life is eyeing our planet lustily, planning to wage a "War of the Worlds"!

Adapted from the 1898 literary classic by H. G. Wells (a film based on this storyline was already made by Paramount Pictures in 1953) it is still considered a classic, sci-fi adventure. Director Spielberg brings this familiar story to the big screen once again while writer David Koepp updated it to the 21st century, adding family relationships and self sacrifice to the storyline.

Reportedly, when Cruise first read the script, he immediately signed on, saying that it was not just a film about alien invasion but a story of a father and his children facing war, and how they survive through love, wisdom, courage and persistence.
During a first-scene filming toast in 2004, Spielberg said he sincerely hoped all wars would be limited to movie and TV screens, even as he extended blessings to the men and women serving overseas. The underlying theme of "War of the Worlds" is the use of compassion to view the contact between human beings and the alien world--a theme also apparent in the director's other alien movies, "E.T." and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". The acclaimed director hopes to remind his audience to connect with history, to ensure that we learn from the past and look forward to the future--to make love and not war, to protect the dignity of life, to preserve all life forms, to cultivate relationships, and to look forward to friendly relationships with alien life forms. These thoughts and philosophies are apparent in this movie, and are worth reflecting upon.