Midnight on A saturday evening. As usual, I am wide awake and suffering from that epidemic known as boredom. I search through my list of DVDs and find the Steven-Spilerberg movie, "The  War Of

The Worlds". I have read the novel written by H.G. Wells and I loved it. Therefore, I sat down for a midnight viewing.

The movie opens with Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), living the life of the typical American divorcee. Single, disoriented and filled with a certain bitterness that Cruise expresses very well. He is given the seemingly simple task of taking care of his two kids, a teenager (Robbie) and a ten year old (Rachel). Dad and kids were never really close, and a communication breakdown soon occurs. But the worst is yet to come: an invasion by Martians who are planning to exterminate the entire human race. As expectd , our protaginist (Cruise), survives the torching by the deliciously vicious looking Tripods, in true Sunny Deol isshtyle! Using his brains, Cruise makes a run foe his life, only to realise that the Martians are taking over the entire globe. 

It is after this point that the movie rally becomes interesting. From The War Of The Worlds, it changes dramtically into a personal battle, one Cruise has to fight to keep him and his kids alive. His ten year old daughter is sensitive and claustrophobic, which is not really helpful when dead bodies are piling up by te sides of the road as you drive by. His son is "difficult", and traets Cruise with little respect. But such pressure situations sometimes bring out the best in people, and here, it results in family bonding.  

After this, Spielberg again changes course and brings out the confusion that follows chaos. Although families themselves are united stronger than ever, humans are fighting amongst themselves to find a working car, to land some room on a boat and so on.The death toll rises, and the panic levels rise as well. Now, the rael war begins........can humans forget their differnces and fight together against a stronger foe? Is it even possible to defeat forces that simply destroy cities in hours?  

The basic human emotions  are highlighted here: cutiosity, confusion, shock, bravado and ultimately fear. This is the course that peoples’ emotuions go through when placed ina  do or die situation. In the end ofcourse, Earth still remains ours, but the virtual obliteration teaches us lessons that Wells wanted people to understand in his time: "take nothing for granted".

PLOT & SCREENPLAY
The plot is inspired by Wells’ critically acclaimed novel. But the screenplay is not entirely lifted from the novel, and is  adopted to make it seem believable in today’s times. Slick direction and smart editing make for an exciting watch. 60 thrills a minute guarenteed.

ACTING
The movie belongs to Cruise; perhaps even more than Spielberg! He puts in a terrific performance and gets into the skin of the chataracter. The glazed look in his eyes is awesome, perfectly bringing out the state of mind of an individual caught in such extraordinary circumstances.

The others are good too. Especially the kidds, Robbie and Rachel, do an excellent job. Although the ending of the movie coukld be a litle more realistic.............

Overall a brilliantly made movie by master craftsman, Spielberg!

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