War of the Worlds

Just watched the movie 'War of the Worlds'. Have read some online reviews, and came across many criticisms, like how it was impossible that the pods / machines could remain buried for so long and go undetected, or how these aliens took million of years to plan an attack and yet forgot to give themselves a flu shot, or how it's logistically retarded to attempt to kill millions of human beings by shooting laser beams at them. There're also complaints about the ending ("That's it? The aliens died from flu? My grandmother is stronger than that!” and "His son is still alive? That sucks! I would have enjoyed watching the aliens suck the juice out of his brains!")

Me? I've long given up being so critical about movies. The way I see it, since I've paid $7 (or $9.50, depending on whether you watch it on a weekday or weekend) for the movie, I might as well sit back and enjoy it. I used to go to the movies once a week, but since becoming a father (2 years ago), I average 1 movie every 3 months. As you can see, going to the movies has become a luxury for me. Thus, I'm picky about what I watch - it should be something that justifies catching on the big screen, i.e. no romantic comedies, indies or other small-scale stuff (these I can enjoy on dvd). I also make it a point to avoid anything by Stephen Sommers ('The Mummy', 'Van Helsing'), Michael Bay ('Pearl Harbour', 'Bad Boys 2'), Brett Ratner ('Rush Hour') or Paul W.S. Thomas (anything). Examples of some movies I've caught in the past year: 'Batman Begins', 'Return of the Sith', 'Spider-Man 2', and 'Return of the King'.

So, when I go to the cinema, I tell the critical voice in my head to shut up 'cos I'm gonna enjoy the movie.

Anyway, back to WOTW - just want to say that there were a few scenes which really chilled me, e.g. the terrified looks on the people's faces when the tripods first emerged from the ground and started blasting away, the train on fire - very surreal, also the part where the crowd of desperate people surrounded Ray's (Tom Cruise's character) car and started smashing the windows in their attempt to force their way in, culminating in Ray pleading that he just wanted his daughter - very powerful. It was a very good movie, actually, in that it succeeded in making you feel like you were among the refugees, helpless and terrified.

Having read the novel years ago, the ending did not come as a surprise, though I do agree with some people's comments that Ray's son should have died. Preferably by having the aliens suck the juice out of that brat's brains.