War of the World ????'s

[opally]

Whew ! What an intense movie - the images are just stunning. I can't stomach Tom Cruise, but ds has been begging to see, so off we went today. I'm not one for this style of movie (uber violent alien attack) so maybe I'm particularly susceptible, but wow - it had me drop-jawed at the edge of my seat (clutching ds' arm for nearly two hours).

So - some questions - how does the son make it through ? Just a big dose of Hollywood disbelief-suspension ? And what are those creepy red rope-root things growing everywhere ? And did the imagery just floor you ? I feel like I'm still trying to shake it out of my head.

[A2whit]

Ooh, I was scouting about hoping someone would post on it. I had the same questions. Ropey things -- what were they? Just good for grossness factor. I have no idea how the son survived. Totally Hollywood. But the biggest hole for me is: so these aliens have been studying us for a million years or whatever, and are so mind-bendingly intelligent... didn't they think that it might be wise to do a study of the micro-organisms that might be present on earth? Just a thought!

And how did Boston get spared? The wife's family all looked like they were ready for tea time. (Incidentally, the grandparents were played by the original leads of the 1958 version of WOTW).

Still, I loved it.

[opally]

lol - too true about the Boston tea party ! I heard of the cameos by some of the original stars, but wasn't sure what roles - that's pretty neat.

ITA about the microorganism thing - and also, with all their advanced knowledge, they just couldn't add some infared or heat-seeking technology to uncover those last few humans ?

I'm just still amazed at that movie's ability to have me, mouth agape, for two hours, muttering oh mah gawd, oh mah gawd - lol !

[lenore80]

****spoilers******

Ropey things -- what were they?

Ropey things were in the original book. DH was so geeked to see it on the movie poster....anyways, I *believe* the vines were either for a food source OR that was how they reproduced. I'll doublecheck for everyone tomorrow, DH is sleeping, and I forgot the reason.

!!!!!!spoilers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so these aliens have been studying us for a million years or whatever, and are so mind-bendingly intelligent

My theory is that they either created us, or was harvesting us for the takeover. As for seeing the microorganisms (this is a long shot, so bear with me) the aliens had TERRIBLE eyesight. Maybe they could not see or had the technology to see bacteria, viruses, germs, etc. Afterall, they could not even correct their vision. Oh, and the original book did take place in 1890...which kind of explains why they would not know much about viruses, KWIM? I don't know why the screen writers didn't update this? Im sure DH has a good explanation for this...maybe I will make him post.

I do know that the aliens were supposed to be from Mars. The reason why the vines were being "fertizlized" with blood is because blood contains iron. Mars apparently has tons of iron on it, which is why the planet is red. All of this is in the book too.

And how did Boston get spared?

I just thought it was random chance that there wasn't a killing vapor machine underneath it.

how does the son make it through

That was lame. :

Sorry this was so lengthy, I really enjoyed the movie, and most people around here IRL hated it.

[Alkenny]

I was one of them that hated it. :
Plotholes, all action no ACTING...just wasn't my type of film at all.

[MamaBug]

I don't like these type of movies but this one looks interesting. I will probably wait until it comes on DVD but I also want to read the book first!

[chersolly]

Eventhough the source material is well-known, I think that Spielburg took a little liberty with the ending. Boston = Heaven? Ray and his family didn't survive, but they were united in the next world. Just my little theory.

[jenaniah]

I just got home from seeing the movie...I thought it was great! I was disappoin ted that at the end the WHOLE family lived but hey...that's Hollywood for ya!

[JesiLynne]

has anyone here read the book and seen the movie??????

I liked the movie but the ending was kinda ........lets say.......watered down.
Not too much excitement.

The beginning had me FREAKING OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

I was ssssoooooooo scared AND I DONT GET SCARED EASILY!!!!!!!!!!





I have no clue how the son survived.....

I LOVED DAKOTA FANNING"S ACTING....
I was ssssoooooo good

Can anyone say OSCAR!!!!!

[jenaniah]

I have read the book and seen the movie but it has been so long since I read the book that I don't really rememeber it. I'll have to reread it one of these days

[boingo82]

The red things - they were fertilized with the harvested human blood, that blew onto Ray's hand when he was at the basement window. They are supposed to be a crop or food source or something for the aliens..


The germs/bacteria..
In the book the aliens have become so "advanced" that they've completely eradicated all bacteria/germs/viruses on their planet. And because they have they have no immune systems. Whatsoever.
An argument against vax if I ever heard one, right?


We saw it today. It was so draining for me - suspense for 2 hours takes a lot out of you. The end came too quick too sudden - like, "OH CRAP, we're at the 1:45 mark better wrap this up!"