Written by: Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

Steven Spielberg's contemporary revision of H.G. Wells's 1898 sci-fi classic about a Martian invasion revolves around Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), a divorced dad (i.e.: Everyman) caught in the midst of an assault by immense Tripods from outer space; his mission is to protect his children (Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin), not to save the world. With death and destruction around him, Ferrier takes an emotional journey, affirming the relevance of the survival of family.

Transitioning from immaturity to responsibility, Tom Cruise embodies the reluctant, blue-collar hero. Wide-eyed, precocious Dakota Fanning is endearing, while Justin Chatwin is convincing as a rebellious teen. Miranda Otto scores as Ferrier's ex-wife and watch for quick glimpses of Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, stars of the 1953 film version, as her parents.

Purists will point out ways in which this differs from the original. True. Yet screenwriters Josh Friedman ("The Black Dahlia") and David Koepp ("Jurassic Park") kept the essential alien invasion concept; they've just reinterpreted it on a character-driven, personal scale. Instead of 'the Curate,' for example, there's a cellar encounter with a deranged militant (Tim Robbins). Credit Janusz Kaminski and Industrial Light & Magic with the big-time frightening visuals, along with Rick Carter's production design. Reflecting societal unease since 9/11, those malevolent Tripods and malignant red weeds are a scary twist on Spielberg's benevolent "E.T."

On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "War of the Worlds" is a tension-filled 10. Prepare to be terrified!

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