War of the Worlds: The Attack

We've just watched this and can't believe how bad it is. It even makes the Tom Cruise version look fantastic. We were so excited to see a decent modern version but disappointment struck.

Bad acting, bad CGI, bad script, bad everything really. The lead characters do have their good moments, but still look like college production actors. The parson guy should never be allowed to act again for accepting the role.

There is no need to remake something that has been remade a few times (which will have high expectations) and then make a cheap, low budget version that is obviously going to get slated for being crap.

Don't judge the movie based on watching the trailer. It was cleverly put together and I was fooled enough into thinking it would be an exciting new take on a classic sci-fi story. The actual movie is amateurish, slow with bad acting, writing and effects. It feels more like a network TV movie and not worth the rental price.

I wish I could say more about it, but I was bored out of my mind. I couldn't make it through all the way in my first watching. I came back to it later to see if it got better, but it just didn't. It's pure garbage and I would like my 6.99 rental back. I recommend you save your money.

Of all the incarnations of War Of The Worlds...this one is by far the worst.

The way the go from the Martian invaders wantonly killing everyone...to chilling in their house...or going on leisurely bicycle rides, generally unscathed...is patently ridiculous.

We find ourselves following three random kids, who-for some reason- are important enough to care about.

Even if that reason is not particularly clear.

Less it be that they are "the chosen ones", who need to be "saved" by an especially hypocritical, hardline, religious zealot (so he can repopulate the Earth with their female friend), or whatever.

The whole thing is about 90% childish drama, and 10% action...when it clearly needs to be the other way around.

Despite the fact that all the action is rendered with CGI (albeit, better than you might expect from a production of this caliber- think, akin to Monsters, or Nope, to get an idea).

The plot structure is absolutely horrible.

Because you get all this inane drama...followed by a ridiculous twist, that comes out of nowhere.

Used to abruptly wrap up story...without any explanation...or any attempt to connect it to the rest of the storyline.

Which doesn't make much sense.

Especially considering the aliens seem more mechanical than biological in nature.

Plus...for a film about the end of the world...there's never really any sense of urgency employed by any of the actors.

Who are really quite nonchalant about the whole ordeal.

So stuff happens.

Then it's suddenly over.

Without going into detail about any of the connecting factors...

It's just bad storytelling, overall.

And kind of stupid, to be honest.

So do yourself a favour, and just pass on this stinker.

Because it's simply not worth the time.

Unless you are looking to waste it.

2 out of 10.

... but I just couldn't stick it out.

The acting was so-so but the story was a no-go, as were the special effects. Some of the special effects were so 1980's - think "War Games" with Matthew Broderick.

The writing and direction were so sub-par that a school production could have done much better.

Early on in the movie there's a scene in one of the lead characters mum's kitchen. It was probably one of the worst acted scenes I've ever seen in a main stream movie. It should have been cut and left on the cutting room floor. Actually it was so "wooden" it could have been cut with an axe.

I've given it a very generous 3/10.

Picture this, a soldier and three civilian survivors are hiding in the woods, claiming to be the only people left outside London, and everyone has evacuated. All desolate, alone, abandoned and scared. As we watch in the far background in the distance, there appears to be a motorway with loads of traffic as life in the real world is normal. Could they not have edited this? Very low-budget movie with a boring storyline and amateur acting. I think this is some high school project. This had loads of potential. As indicated in the trailer. But alas, probably one of the worst films ever. I don't recommend it.