Yet another blockbuster, War of the Worlds took me a bit by surprise, as I was expecting a formulaic Spielberg/Cruise/John Williams movie, and I’m not a big fan of H.G Wells either. Yet Spielberg has had a bit of a brainwave for the first time in many years, and has made what might be the first intimate blockbuster.

There are several massive set-pieces, but these are kept deliberately obscure and in the background, while Cruise attempts to sort out his family problems involving daughter Dakota Fanning and an anonymous teenager. Of course Cruise is neither average enough nor old enough for the role, and the wacky approach is bound to annoy fans of both Wells and Spielberg, but it’s a fascinating if flawed idea. The Martians are convincing and alien enough, and Tim Robbins puts in an interesting performance as a madman, while not making it obvious that he’s a foot taller than Cruise for plot reasons. We even get Gene Barry and Anne Robinson, stars of the 1953 version, making an appearance at the end, and thankfully there’s no sign of Jeff Wayne.

I expect many people to disagree, but this is an intelligent and exciting movie which will only improve in hindsight. One thing though: please, no more Morgan Freeman voiceovers.

Mild Peril Rating:

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