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War of the Worlds
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War of the Worlds (2005) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 129 | slideshow) Videos (see all 4)
War of the Worlds (2005) -- US Theatrical Trailer from Paramount
War of the Worlds (2005) -- Clip: Tom Hides In Cellar
War of the Worlds (2005) -- Clip: Don't Look
War of the Worlds (2005) -- Clip: Crater Explosion

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   116,752 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 22% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Writers (WGA):
Josh Friedman (screenplay) and
David Koepp (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for War of the Worlds on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 June 2005 (USA) more
Tagline:
They're already here. more
Plot:
As Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines, one family fights for survival. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 19 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(106 articles)
Dakota Fanning goes ‘70s
 (From TotalFilm. 3 July 2009, 12:50 AM, PDT)

134 New Names Invited to Join the Academy
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 1 July 2009, 1:08 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
A brilliant alien invasion film for the first two acts more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tom Cruise ... Ray Ferrier

Dakota Fanning ... Rachel Ferrier

Miranda Otto ... Mary Ann

Justin Chatwin ... Robbie

Tim Robbins ... Harlan Ogilvy

Rick Gonzalez ... Vincent

Yul Vazquez ... Julio (as Yul Vázquez)
Lenny Venito ... Manny the Mechanic
Lisa Ann Walter ... Bartender
Ann Robinson ... Grandmother
Gene Barry ... Grandfather

David Alan Basche ... Tim
Roz Abrams ... Herself
Michael Brownlee ... TV Reporter, Osaka

Camillia Sanes ... News Producer
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Out of the Night (USA) (working title)
Party in Fresno (USA) (fake working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for frightening sequences of sci-fi violence and disturbing images.
Runtime:
116 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Trademark: [Steven Spielberg] [Music]score by John Williams. more
Goofs:
Miscellaneous: When Ray, Rachel and Robbie are driving in the mini van out of town, through the interstate traffic, Ray's steering inputs don't always match the direction of the van as seen out of the van's rear window. At one point, Ray definitely steers to his right and the van obviously moves to the left. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Narrator: No one would have believed in the early years of the 21st century that our world was being watched by intelligences greater than our own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns, *they* observed and studied, the way a man with a microscope might scrutinize the creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water...
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in 2006 MTV Movie Awards (2006) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Nobody Move more

FAQ

3) Why don't we see other countries being attacked, etc?
13) What's with those bodies in the river? How did they die?
23) Why wasn't the van Ray was driving destroyed by the airplane?
more
628 out of 911 people found the following comment useful:-
A brilliant alien invasion film for the first two acts, 2 July 2005
6/10
Author: Nigel St. Buggering from Seattle, WA

What Spielberg, Cruise, and Koepp accomplish here in the first two acts is nothing short of revolutionary. They've made a big-budget summer blockbuster about massive destruction and action that manages to studiously avoid every cliché and expectation of such films. It stays resolutely on the characters' points of view, showing us almost nothing they don't see, even to the point of coming tantalizingly close to a raging battle, then avoiding showing it. It keeps its focus on character instead of spectacle. The "hero" of the piece remains decidedly unheroic, wanting only to escape, and trying to talk others out of fighting back. The purpose of every piece of action is to frighten and disturb rather than thrill, making ingenious use of familiar 9/11 imagery. At the end of the second act, it is hands-down the best alien invasion film ever made, and perhaps one of the best sci-films of all time.

Then something strange happens. The filmmakers lose their nerve, and remember that this is an extremely expensive summer film financed by two studios. Or perhaps it was the fact that it stars Tom Cruise, who up to this point has spent almost two hours doing nothing but run for his life. Suddenly, and tragically, the film changes, violating not only its carefully established tone, but its own internal logic. Suddenly, Cruise begins to act like a hero, and summer action clichés force their way into the story like a worm into an apple. The transition is jarring, and it creates a serious disconnect from the story.

While it's true that Wells' original ending creates a problem for a movie, here they try to remain faithful to it, while still shoehorning moments of triumph into the conclusion. Unfortunately, these moments come off as alternately false, unbelievable, and meaningless, since it isn't mankind that defeats the invaders in the end.

Is it recommendable? Well, I suppose that depends on what kind of viewer you are. If you feel that 75% brilliant material overshadows the 25% that falls apart, then you'll enjoy it. If, however, you're the kind of viewer who feels that the final impression a movie makes is its ultimate stamp on your memory, you may be in for a crushing disappointment. On the other hand, if you're the kind of viewer who just likes the cliché of the boom-boom summer action spectacle, you're likely to be bored and frustrated with the first two acts, and only engage in the end. It is confused about what audience it's trying to reach, and consequently, isn't likely to satisfy any of them.

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WHY EVERYBODY HATE THIS MOVIE? REAL REASON MIGUELPAYET
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HUGE plot hole *spoilers* ANTIDEAD
Would you like to be in a war of the worlds? frontinoluca
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