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

Photos (see all 129 | slideshow) Videos (see all 15)
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) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   122,216 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
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:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 19 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(157 articles)
Cast Takes Shape for Anchor Bay's I Spit on Your Grave Redux
 (From Dread Central. 26 November 2009, 1:44 PM, PST)

War of the Welles: Seven Actors Who've Played Orson
 (From IFC. 26 November 2009, 7:15 AM, PST)

User Comments:
A good take on the Wells story. Better than the 1953 classic in some ways more (2681 total)

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:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The "Ulla" war cry the Tripods made, was made with a didgeridoo and computer effects. more
Goofs:
Continuity: As Ogilvy calls to Ray and Rachel before the camera pans out, at the bottom of the screen you can see Ray and Rachel standing there, when they were running seconds ago. As if waiting for a cue they begin a sprint towards the basement door. 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:
Referenced in Crossover (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Sailor Moon BGM more

FAQ

What Attracted the Birds To The Tripods?
23) Why wasn't the van Ray was driving destroyed by the airplane?
11) What's all the orange liquid that comes out of the tripods?
more
175 out of 319 people found the following comment useful.
A good take on the Wells story. Better than the 1953 classic in some ways, 9 July 2005
7/10
Author: mstomaso from Vulcan

First - a quick rebuttal: The peanut butter sandwich which seemed to stick to the window impossibly. This was a very visually interesting scene. In fact, the scene was shot from inside the house, and Cruise was shot in reflection against the window - so there is no problem here other than the reviewer not thinking what they were seeing through.

Now on to the review...

This film follows Tom Cruise - playing a not-very-adult divorced father - and his two kids through the Wellsian version of The War of the Worlds. Despite the fact that the film focuses exclusively on the harrowing experiences of this somewhat dysfunctional family, in a very basic way it preserves the elements of the original novel. As with Wells' book, a science savvy viewer will pick up on the biological plausibility of the main plot and realize the brilliance of Wells original points. Scientifically educated viewers will also recognize the geological impossibility of it. Neither of these facts should detract from the entertainment value of this interesting and exciting film. After all, it is a testament to Wells' genius that a novel written nearly 100 years ago still holds our attention today, and is still regarded as an intelligent take on improbable events.

An alien species, about which nothing is really known, has been planning to take over and terraform earth for millenia, or perhaps much longer. Using unknown technology, they manage to emplace operatives in enormous tripod machines equipped with horrendous weapons that basically carbonize any life forms they take aim at. The tripods had been implanted deep in the earth long before the advent of our species. There simply is no stopping the invasion. Cruise, whose character is not really built for heroism, digs deep into his soul to protect his children as they attempt to make it to Boston to reunite with his estranged wife and her new family.

Before I discuss the technical merits of the film, and the lavish production values, I feel that I need to make a comment on Dakota Fanning. Ms. Fanning gives one of the best performances I have ever seen a sub-12 year old give in The War of the Worlds. She is a match for Cruise, and actually manages to steal several scenes from him. The acting in this film is uniformly good, but Fanning really stood out.

Spielberg and his team make seemingly impossible film visions come alive in a uniquely well realized manner. War of the Worlds is one of the most visually stunning films I have seen in a long time. Though I would not call the special effects innovative, they are, more importantly, convincing and never over-done. The nearly first person story telling technique is both original and effective, and the non-heroism of Cruise's character makes for a much more compelling plot than I expected to see. There are indeed some problems with believability, but let me ask - why would anybody go to this film expecting something more realistic than a fairy tale?

Recommended for Wells fans, fans of the original 1953 adaptation, and action sci-fi fans. Mildly recommended to the average cinema-goer.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for War of the Worlds (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
4 Stars on TV? gangefan83
The US didn't win this time steve-544-31268
WHY EVERYBODY HATE THIS MOVIE? REAL REASON MIGUELPAYET
Why didn't Spielberg let E.T. drive the tripods? fantarzan
Absolutely Fantastic! petur-9
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