Movie review: War of the Worlds

WARNING-movie spoiler below.
Went to see War of the Worlds with Danny, Pat, John & Diana this afternoon. I have not seen the original "War" but overall I thought it was a good movie. The beginning was a little lame because I'm sorry--if some alien being/machine was coming out of the ground people would NOT be standing around in a tight circle gawking. I don't care if it's NYC and they are used to weird people and things, folks would be running for their lives. But, once you got past the initial overly dramatic pieces you kind of sank into the story. Of course I'm a big fraidy cat so every time the music would get menacing I would cringe and wait for a monster to pop out. Special effects are great and I'm constantly amazed at the ability of computers and graphics. Tom Cruise attempts to play the tough guy dad but both his character and his true personality fail to totally live up. Dakota Fanning is getting better and better as she gets older. Don't know who played the son but it doesn't really matter as it appears he gets killed off. Anyhoo---I recommend seeing the movie if only for the pure entertainment.

The movie did make me think a little (go figure...ME thinking on a Saturday). All these people are running in fear of the aliens and struggling so hard to stay alive, even as everything and everyone around them are being destroyed. Call it a cop out, but I think if that were happening around me I would just say my goodbyes and let myself go. I mean come on, who wants to live in a planet filled with alien machines, no electricity, no food or water, and all your family & friends dead? At that point it's time to just "go home to see my Maker." Wow, the Southern Fundamentalist in me just came out. Scary. What's even funnier is I'm neither Southern nor Fundamental.

Ok, that' s my review. Go see the movie. But, if big ass alien machines come out of a pothole tonight don't expect to see me trotting down the street. Me and the cat will be dozing in my bed.