War of the Worlds

This, not Batman or Star Wars, is the perfect summer theatre movie. Awe-inspiring special effects (ones that actually look real, as opposed to Lucas' recent adventures) headline the movie, but Spielberg does a great job of infusing the film with an emotional intensity that generally isn't present in your typical blockbuster movie. The ending, however, will be a letdown for those who haven't read Wells' novel, as it doesn't translate very well to the screen and when the movie winds down, it all feels a little abrupt. Nevertheless, this is the movie to see in the theatre this summer. Don't miss out. My grade: A-

Synopsis: A contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells's seminal classic, the sci-fi adventure thriller reveals the extraordinary battle for the future of humankind through the eyes of one American family fighting to survive it. (via Yahoo)

Director: Steven Spielberg (Minority Report)
Writers: Josh Friedman (Chain Reaction) and David Koepp (Spider-Man), based on the novel by H.G. Wells
Stars: Tom Cruise (The Last Samurai), Dakota Fanning (Man On Fire), Justin Chatwin (Taking Lives), Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings)