War of the Worlds - A Arte da Guerra

I had high hopes of a classic story and a strong cast. But this is like eating the same thing, every meal, every day, for the rest of your life. I gave it a go, I really did, but the episodes are so similar I couldn't tell you if I was watching episode 2 or 22. Nothing seemed different except a few spoken lines here and there and a different shot of ruined cars. I felt sorry for the cast, filming the same episode week in, week out. Oh, and who knew that when drivers simultaneously died at the wheel all the cars would stop in line exactly 2.5 feet from each other. Anyway, I gave up. Oh, and there is no war, and no aliens except clunky doggy-type robots. There is a second series. Allegedly.

Great acting and script across the range of actors. I'm usually quite immune to most tired out horror tropes, but this series is thoroughly chilling and uncomfortable to watch in parts - some images from this series haunt me - it's certainly not for the faint-hearted. The series includes an obvious callout to the perils of weaponised AI. However, the tech angle is a bit disappointing - some of it was just too far-fetched, and others too primitive for a foe capable of interstellar travel.

Overall, this was a great story that kept interest up all the way, but I felt the season fell flat at the end with a disappointing final episode ending. Not sure I can weather another season after this one.

First problem with this is that some parts go on too long and should have been edited out or episodes cut.

Second the Aliens seem clothed from a charity shop and their spaceship seems like a public toilet and fact they haven't developed weapons more effective than guns.

Third, there are many holes in the plot; like after Bill Ward is stabbed the 1st time, why isn't he guarded more closely by the main guy with the machine gun. Why do those mechanical/robot dogs seem to disappear in the 2nd series?

The Aliens just aren't convincing enough! However the actors do well in carrying the dodgy plot.

I am a native French speaker and speak English quite well, so I looked at the version with both languages.

This is not a action series. Spielberg fans, go your way! So we have here a free adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel, which I read a number of years ago, and we must remember that the 2005 movie was too. The story is interesting and includes a British and French cast, which is new to me. We find the progression of 3 groups of people in this post-apocalyptic world between the Alps and London who are trying to find meaning in what happened to humanity after the surprise attack of the 1st episode. The motivations of the main characters are divided between pure survival, the search for relatives and the search for reasons and justifications for the attack rather than eradicating the invader.

Concerning the scenario, it was chosen to unfold the story in a rather intimate way by focusing only on the 3 groups as well as to develop some personal aspects, sometimes too much. I would perhaps have preferred to see more references to human nature (selfishness, individualism...),which was criticised by H.G. Wells, there are a few but not many. On the other hand, I have noted some inconsistencies concerning travels, sometimes too fast, and one or two script inconsistencies that sound weird.

For the realization, we will also note the profusion of plans with the dead people on the ground which reinforces this feeling of "alone in the world " The dominant colour in the different shots remains grey which is common in Canal+ series.

The acting is often good but I have a lot of trouble with Léa Drucker and we will also notice from time to time some unconvincing dialogue.

The soundtrack is minimalist and unpretentious and it should be remembered that it is not a blockbuster, that it is useless to put epic music on a series that wants to be cold and dark. Not everyone will like it, but it was enough for me.

As for the last scene, although it is surprising, I was expecting it with the rare clues crumbled during these 8 episodes.

I've stopped watching, why doesn't someone fix a car or even use a bike, why aren't the bodies rotting and flies everywhere, why when the stay some where does someone leave a door open or go outside against all common sense and warnings, why do the machines make noise sometimes but at other times quietly sneak up on people, why are most of the female characters always doing stupid out of control things, where is all the ammunition from ? Why don't they ever sit down like adults and make a plan, do they people ever bath ? Why would you aimlessly wander from spot to spot, when you know you are going to be attacked, why wouldn't you heavily question the people who obviously have some gift or insight into the invaders and use it to your advantage.

I could go on, the writers could make Swiss cheese if they need a new job or at least the holes part of it.