War of the Worlds (Single Disc)
War of the Worlds is the seminal science fiction classic about alien
invasion. H G Wells’ novel was published in 1898, dramatised on radio in
1938 by Orson Welles in a programme that caused widespread panic, filmed once
before in 1953, made into a top-selling “rock musical” recording in
1976 and the forerunner of numerous similarly-themed books and films, not the
least of which is 1996’s Independence Day which borrowed heavily from some of
its ideas.
Now with Steven Spielberg’s new movie – reportedly with a budget bigger
than Titanic – comes what must be the ideal marriage of novel and director.
With his Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. Spielberg gave us passive
aliens who instilled a sense of wonder. Not so with the invaders of Wells’
classic tale whose sole purpose is to wipe us out.
Spielberg’s contemporary re-telling sees the story of humankind’s battle
for survival against the unstoppable alien machines through the eyes of one
family – Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) his pregnant wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto)
and their daughter, Rachel (Dakota Fanning).
Critic Reviews:
- " War of the Worlds pulses with excitement, danger and palpable nervous energy that generates a legitimate and lasting awe. " – Leigh Paatsch
- " Spielberg always delivers a quality product and teaming him with Cruise results in a well done, modern rendition of this classic story. " – Allison Rose
- " While the Wells story is a classic, Spielberg manages to find a way to truly make War of the Worlds his own. " – Danielle Solzman