Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Let me start off by saying that I really had no intention on seeing this motion picture in the box office. With all the hubbub surrounding Tom Cruise and his beliefs, I had no intention on ever seeing another Tom Cruise motion picture again. However, I have to admit that the last couple of movies he's been in have been pretty good.

Just what made my wife and I catch this motion picture? Well, Steven Spielberg is the greatest film maker of our era. His visions are nearly perfect time and time again. After Band of Brothers and Into The West, I was sure that this wouldn't be a disappointment. I thought it would an entertaining motion picture, nothing more nothing less.

That couldn't have been farther from the truth. From beginning to end this picture grabbed your attention and held fast.

Spielberg never went overboard on anything, he just let the story unfold before our eyes. He took a note from M. Night Shymalan, using little music in the background. While he did use it, he used it sparingly, unlike any of his previous work. Special effects, once again, he used them sparingly. Everything he used, he used when the story mandated. It was pure brilliance, perhaps one of his greatest motion picture masterpieces.

Cruise works for a cargo company, which we learn immediately since the movie opens with him transferring shells from ship to dock. His boss is chasing after him saying how much they need him, he's the fastest person they've got...the only person he can rely on. Cruise's character doesn't care. He races home where he's greeted by two people standing in front of his house. His ex-wife and her husband have been waiting for a half hour. His kids pop out of their mother's minivan and head inside with ex and hubby in tow. The house is in disarray, an engine sits on the kitchen table, we learn that he is living on condiments and peanut butter and jelly. He thinks he's responsible, but is he really? He's got a lot to prove.

A FREAK LIGHTNING STORM HITS!

Lightning never hits the same place twice

Oh no, try it hitting 26 times in the same spot.

A strange calm grips the screen, you know, that same silence that always happens right before all heck breaks loose.

The earth starts trembling, the ground opens, two giant mechanical creatures erupt from the earth. A tremendous howl rips through the air. The creatures begin moving. Without warning, they begin killing. Bodies disintegrate, human's ashes float in the air.

Soon, our characters learn that these creatures are attacking all over the globe.

How will our characters survive? Will they survive at all?

Both are good questions. You'll have to see the film for yourself to answer them.

The visual effects in this film are fabulous. The vast destruction we see, the air surrounding the film, there's nothing that is left untouched. Spielberg is a master at visuals. In a lot of ways he borrowed from a little of everything he's ever done and packed it into one movie. Seriously, however, I don't think I've ever seen stronger effects. I really don't. I think he outdid himself on this masterpiece.

This film left the audience in awe. I listened to everyone around me, I watched as everyone jumped, and the hushed, "sweet jesuses" that erupted from many mouths. It was an experience that I've missed. I remember being in theaters and the crowds were totally into the film at hand. I haven't seen a film like that in many moons. I can't remember the last time I've seen an audience stand up and applaud at a motion picture. This was the first movie I've seen in years that had people cheering and clapping at the end. Ah, a breath of fresh air revealed. A real reason that cinemas should never die out.

Dakota Fanning is spectacular. She's well beyond her years in talent and I'm looking forward to seeing where she'll be in about 10 years. It's quite feasible that she's the next Jodie Foster. A prodigy, adorable and talented. What a combination.

Tom Cruise also proves that he's getting better with age. His boyish good looks may be waning, but he's a much better actor than I've ever given him credit for. However, he's still upstaged by his young co-star.

Tim Robbins lends an authentic creepiness to his character. He's an incredible addition to the casting of this film. I have to also acknowledge a brilliant narrative provided by Morgan Freeman. A nice touch, classy, kind of a throw back.

I'm quite sure everyone is familiar with the classic War of the Worlds. If not, well you should definitely acquaint yourself with this modern masterpiece. However, perhaps you may enjoy a little sneak cheat. So, for all intents and purposes here goes. Let's start with a nice little tag line. Something like, "We thought we were alone, we thought we were invincible, we couldn't have been wronger." That's a nice little line. Wow, what a concept for a novel!!!

So let's modernize this little ditty. The not-so-happy-go-lucky divorcee is running late to pick up his kids. He'll be a self absorbed ex-husband who wishes he could have his wife back, but doesn't think twice about the children. Instead of this being a wonderful summer vacation, we find ourselves in the middle of mankind's extermination. Along the way, a father discovers how much he has missed and how much he cares for his family. That's really the whole plot, I swear. I even managed to provide a plot without giving away any specific details. Yahoo!!!

Who will enjoy this movie? Well, let me put it to you this way. My wife can't stand science fiction movies, but she absolutely loved this one. She's still talking about it and we saw it Saturday.

There will probably be a lot of Oscar buzz surrounding this motion picture. If not, it would be a real waste, since this film is so rich in character.



Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older