Spielberg's ordinary outing. Review on War of the Worlds Movie

Steven Spielberg needs no introduction. The top director has been kind of cooling his heels for the past few years by coming up with light (by his standards) movies. Also, he has been working with big stars, especially the two Toms.

This time around, it is a movie based on the classic novel by HG Wells. The story of Martian invasion is adapted to present-day United States, seen through the eyes of a seemingly irresponsible father trying to save his children. Without any gimmicks and gore, the tension of the situation is built up. All along, the drama of the father trying to connect to his children runs through.

The world under siege is no new theme after Independence Day; but here, there is no such heroic, romantic or comic diversions. The narration sticks to the war waged on Earth and the emotional drama. The movie moves at a steady pace, with a few chilling moments. The end is quite abrupt and simplistic though; also, the length could have been a bit more.

When the director happens to be Spielberg, you know that things aren't going to be run-of-the-mill. The special effects are mind-boggling, some never seen before. Focus on the human aspect is profound, as usual. How human beings would react when pushed to the wall, without the facilities they are used to, is covered without going over the top.

Cruise does well in his down-to-earth role, with a dishevelled look throughout. Fanning is good, though her shrieks are a tad irritating. Robbins is refreshing in his dark part. The rest of the cast is adequate.

Janusz Kaminski, a Spielberg regular, enjoys experimenting along. The initial destruction shots and the drive following that are brilliant. Art direction, make-up and editing are perfect. The background score is apt. And what does one say about ILM?

In spite of providing quite a few novel things, this is definitely an ordinary outing for Spielberg. But that is also the price one has to pay for making many of the biggest movies of the world.