Critic Reviews

War of the Worlds (2005) Rank 3 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give War of the Worlds (2005) a score of 2.8830 out of 4
based on (466) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
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Fair
(3)
0
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Reviews by Score:
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.32 out of 4 stars for Seattle Post-IntelligencerSeattle Post-Intelligencer
It's impossible to praise too highly the verve, skill and authenticity with which Spielberg brings off his alien invasion. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.28 out of 4 stars for San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
It's hard to imagine a better movie called "War of the Worlds" than this latest from Steven Spielberg. It is, simply, the alienation-invasion movie to beat all alien-invasion movies: meticulously detailed and expertly paced and photographed, with sights ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.26 out of 4 stars for Cineclub-Filmkritik Cineclub-Filmkritik
Im neuen Sci-Fi- Spektakel von Regisseur Steven Spielberg spielt Tom Cruise als Ray Ferrier einen nicht gerade erfolgreichen Dockarbeiter, der im Leben nicht wirklich viel auf die Reihe zu bekommen scheint. Als dann seine Ex-Ehefrau und ihr neuer Ehemann ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Cineclub-Filmkritik
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Metro Weekly (Washington, DC) (Randy Shulman)Metro Weekly (Washington, DC) (Randy Shulman)
Just as Jaws made us fear the water, WOTW makes us wary of the weather. You'll never again look at lightning in quite the same way. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Metro Weekly (Washington, DC) (Randy Shulman)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Moose Hole (Joseph Kastner)Moose Hole (Joseph Kastner)
The originative and visually stunning first half saves the film from whatever shortcomings its weaker second half, particularly its conclusion, may deliver ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Moose Hole (Joseph Kastner)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Empire Magazine (Colin Kennedy)Empire Magazine (Colin Kennedy)
A greatest-hits package from our greatest living entertainer, there is almost overmuch to admire here, but only the moments that aspire to post-9/11 relevance chill as well as thrill. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Empire Magazine (Colin Kennedy)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for efilmcritic.com (Uri Lessing)efilmcritic.com (Uri Lessing)
The title of the film is misleading. This is not a film about war. This is a movie about extermination. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at efilmcritic.com (Uri Lessing)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Hero Realm (Stefan Halley)Hero Realm (Stefan Halley)
the most adult film to come out during the summer season in years. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Hero Realm (Stefan Halley)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for EnPrimeur.ca (Nicolas Lacroix)EnPrimeur.ca (Nicolas Lacroix)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Surprisingly dark for a blockbuster and delivers handsomely in terms of thrills and special effects. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Dallas Observer (Robert Wilonsky)Dallas Observer (Robert Wilonsky)
The filmmaker who once aimed to enchant his audiences with cheerful stories of beatific visitors from outer space now wants only to scare the hell out of us. E.T., as it turns out, is a mass murderer after all, and we are his Reese's Pieces. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Dallas Observer (Robert Wilonsky)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for LA Weekly (Scott Foundas)LA Weekly (Scott Foundas)
The imagery is startling not just for its symbolic resonances, but for the breathless intensity with which it sears the screen. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at LA Weekly (Scott Foundas)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)
The audience is treated to one extraordinary vision after another; the sense of a world literally being destroyed around the principal actors, the sense of their flight through panic and destruction, the sense of concussion, collapse, rubble and ruin. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Washington Post (Stephen Hunter)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Cinenganos (Alex Ramirez)Cinenganos (Alex Ramirez)
Se diga lo que se diga, captará audiencias que, como si huyeran de los extraterrestres invasores, abarrotarán las salas y se sumergirán en la tibia oscuridad... ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Cinenganos (Alex Ramirez)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Film Snobs (Jimmy O)Film Snobs (Jimmy O)
Never Before Has Spielberg so Tragically Shot Himself in the Foot with his Ending and Never before have I been so Willing to Forgive. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Film Snobs (Jimmy O)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Empire (Colin Kennedy)Empire (Colin Kennedy)
Dark and stormy, even gloomy, this is a distinctly autumnal blockbuster from the man who invented summer. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Empire (Colin Kennedy)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)
Drawbacks aside, with War of the Worlds , Hollywood is calling on Spielberg to deliver this summer's blockbuster, and he accomplishes the task. The movie is solid all the way around, and Spielberg's touches are everywhere. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Arizona Republic (Bill Muller)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for filmcritic.com (Eric Meyerson)filmcritic.com (Eric Meyerson)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic.com (William Goss)eFilmCritic.com (William Goss)
The film is so fascinating in how realistically it paints its doomsday scenario that it is easier to forgive the weak, if traditional, ending. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at eFilmCritic.com (William Goss)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for The Hollywood Reporter (Kirk Honeycutt)The Hollywood Reporter (Kirk Honeycutt)
Might be too realistic for its own good: The film takes perhaps a little too much glee in its abilities to manufacture mayhem. That being said, the ride is extraordinary. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at The Hollywood Reporter (Kirk Honeycutt)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.12 out of 4 stars for Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Certainly one of the most lovingly crafted, end-of-the-world, cinematic feasts ever made, a spectacle of destruction and survival not even C.B DeMille could have envisioned. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.11 out of 4 stars for Draven99's Musings (Chris Beaumont)Draven99's Musings (Chris Beaumont)
Do you ever sit down to write a review and find that the words just aren't there? Well, I have been trying to write this review for the last week, the thoughts are there, but for some reason the head to hand translation function of my brain is severely ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Draven99's Musings (Chris Beaumont)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.04 out of 4 stars for JackassCritics.com (Grim Ringler)JackassCritics.com (Grim Ringler)
Strange as it may seem, coming from a dyed-in-the-wool horror movie nerd, this was the movie I was most excited for this summer. I loved the original film and love the Orson Welles radio play so I figured – Spielberg, aliens, end of the world, I am ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at JackassCritics.com (Grim Ringler)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
It's those dark visions of destruction that stick, even when Spielberg pushes the script to an unlikely happy ending. Great foreplay, failed orgasm. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Liam Lacey)The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Liam Lacey)
This is B-movie material all the way, yet it's not only watchable, it's engrossing. That's because the material is in the hands of an A-talent director, who knows, as few of his contemporaries do, how to manipulate the plastic qualities of a film: the ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Liam Lacey)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Portland Oregonian (Shawn Levy)Portland Oregonian (Shawn Levy)
Alas, Robbins is far more interesting than Cruise, and you wonder what the film would have been like if their roles were reversed -- if Robbins were the loser in search of redemption and Cruise the agitated freak in the basement. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Portland Oregonian (Shawn Levy)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
The film isn't quite excellent, though, since it sags in the middle and starts to seem repetitive. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)
For the first 100 minutes of his 117-minute film Spielberg holds the audience in a grip of fear. When Ray and Rachel take refuge in the storm cellar of a survivalist (a miscast Tim Robbins), the director's grip relaxes only a bit, but the film never ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for ReelViews (James Berardinelli)ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
War of the Worlds is not vintage Spielberg, and it's on the grim side for a summer action blockbuster, but it's worth the time and money invested. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>
Steven Spielbergused to have an inerrant ability to understand how the audience was experiencing his films, to know where we were emotionally and why. In recent years, as evidenced in his last four uneven movies, he's lost some of that innate ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for USA Today (Claudia Puig)USA Today (Claudia Puig)
But expect a logical plot, and you'll walk out of the theater with a host of questions, mostly concerning procedural points of the alien attack. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at USA Today (Claudia Puig)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Fantastica Daily (Mervius)Fantastica Daily (Mervius)
The movie grabs us early, makes us squirm something fierce, and almost frustratingly never lets go till the very end. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Fantastica Daily (Mervius)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Globe and Mail (Liam Lacey)Globe and Mail (Liam Lacey)
This is B-movie material all the way, yet it's not only watchable, it's engrossing. That's because the material is in the hands of an A-talent director, who knows, as few of his contemporaries do, how to manipulate the plastic qualities of a film. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Globe and Mail (Liam Lacey)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Fantastica Daily (Chuck O'Leary)Fantastica Daily (Chuck O'Leary)
Almost good enough to make you forget its director is an overrated egomaniac and its star is a self-righteous nut. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Fantastica Daily (Chuck O'Leary)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Toronto Star (Peter Howell)Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
In terms of sheer spectacle alone, War of the Worlds is a winner. If this movie doesn't help stop or turn around the box-office slide of the past few months, then Hollywood really is in big trouble. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for ReelViews (James Berardinelli)ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
There's a longstanding movie riddle that asks the following question: Is it better to have a mediocre director and a great screenplay, or a great director and a mediocre screenplay? War of the Worlds, Steven Spielberg's entry into the 2005 summer box offi ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for MovieCrypt.com (Kevin A. Ranson)MovieCrypt.com (Kevin A. Ranson)
... the inventor of the summer blockbuster directing the biggest movie star on the planet... It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s what you expect an “event” film to be. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at MovieCrypt.com (Kevin A. Ranson)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Apollo Guide (Kevin N. Laforest)Apollo Guide (Kevin N. Laforest)
There’s not much plot, depth or character development, but it more than makes up for it in relentless intensity and consistency of vision. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Apollo Guide (Kevin N. Laforest)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
...wowing enough to silence rude, modern movie audiences in their seats. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Nolan's Pop Culture Review (Michael A. Smith)Nolan's Pop Culture Review (Michael A. Smith)
'...director Steven Spielberg has brought the story to this generation. And it is a story meant for this time.' ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Nolan's Pop Culture Review (Michael A. Smith)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)
Stunning. ... Fanning gives such an authentic portrayal of a terror-stricken child that you might want to call Family Services on her behalf. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
My recommendation is tempered by the fact that this started off as a great movie and ended as little more than a piece of pleasant fluff. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)
Spielberg and his team are master filmmakers, and it's a pleasure to see them work ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)
Spielberg's Worlds is filled with terrific scenes but ultimately, he draws the film to a predictable and utterly disappointing conclusion. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Yet another adaptation of the oft-visited alien invasion classic by H.G. Wells, Steven Spielberg (The Terminal, Catch Me if You Can) takes his turn for a credible, but a touch underdeveloped, update of War of the Worlds. Produced at breakneck speed for a ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)
War of the Worlds' is a picture without a thought in its pretty head: the Tom Cruise movie to end all Tom Cruise movies. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at San Jose Mercury News (Bruce Newman)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
It is nerve-wracking and gripping and draws specific parallels, both dramatically and visually, to 9/11, but never in a way that seems anything but natural. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
When the guy who made Saving Private Ryan uses the word 'war' in a title, audiences should believe him. War of the Worlds is brutal. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)Kansas City Star (Robert W. Butler)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Whether it represents filmmaking at its most opportunistic or most empathic will be up to each viewer to decide, but there's no denying its potency as a harrowing thrill ride. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Moviola (Jorge Avila Andrade)Moviola (Jorge Avila Andrade)
No es la gran película de la década, pero sí es un claro ejemplo de entretenimiento del más alto nivel que te mantendrá, literalmente, en el filo de la butaca. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Moviola (Jorge Avila Andrade)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Perihelion Journal (Jay Antani)Perihelion Journal (Jay Antani)
so impressive in so many ways that it makes the frustration over its miserable final moments that much harder to bear ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Perihelion Journal (Jay Antani)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Reno Gazette-Journal (Forrest Hartman)Reno Gazette-Journal (Forrest Hartman)
War of the Worlds is thoughtful, but don’t let that worry you. This is an action film concerned more with delivering thrills than making bold statements. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Reno Gazette-Journal (Forrest Hartman)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)
Fantastic and banal, terrifying and occasionally dull, pure Spielberg and yet at times anonymous, War of the Worlds delivers multiple viewing experiences during its two-hour running time. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Christianity Today (Peter T. Chattaway)Christianity Today (Peter T. Chattaway)
Like disasters in real life, the film hits you in the gut with a vision of catastrophe, and leaves you to sort out what it all means. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Christianity Today (Peter T. Chattaway)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) (Mark Collette)Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) (Mark Collette)
Gritty visuals, paired with awesome sound design, create a trepidation that at moments rises to a quality we haven't seen in a Spielberg film since 1977. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) (Mark Collette)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)
The [visual] comparisons to the terrible events of 9-11 are unmistakable and immediate. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for efilmcritic.com (Collin Souter)efilmcritic.com (Collin Souter)
Certainly a grab-bag of Spielberg's Greatest Hits, but like The Beatles, there's a reason a lot of those Hits were #1 when they came out. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at efilmcritic.com (Collin Souter)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)
Spielberg seems to have resigned himself to the fact that he'll never match the impact of the radio show, but he's making no bones about going after that FX Oscar. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
H.G. Wells wouldn't recognize his 1898 alien-invasion novel, The War of the Worlds , in Steven Spielberg's updated film version. But Wells could probably relate to the ensuing fear and panic. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)
The first two acts are overpowering specimens of effects-amped, screen-incinerating hysteria. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Zap2it.com (Dan Fienberg)Zap2it.com (Dan Fienberg)
An intense sci fi experience that should satisfy viewers who crave both expensive special effects and intimate human drama, assuming that such an audience exists. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Zap2it.com (Dan Fienberg)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Phoebe Flowers)South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Phoebe Flowers)
War of the Worlds is easily the most bone-chillingly scary movie Spielberg has made, but it also taps into an unsettling kind of fear that never goes for the cheap thrill. The dread Spielberg conjures is horribly personal. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Phoebe Flowers)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.92 out of 4 stars for Jesusfreakhideout.com Movie ReviewsJesusfreakhideout.com Movie Reviews
A contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells's seminal classic, the sci-fi adventure thriller reveals the extraordinary battle for the future of humankind through the eyes of one American family fighting to survive it. The film stars Tom Cruise, Dakota ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Jesusfreakhideout.com Movie Reviews
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.91 out of 4 stars for Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Yet another adaptation of the oft-visited alien invasion classic by H.G. Wells, Steven Spielberg (The Terminal, Catch Me if You Can) takes his turn for a credible, but a touch underdeveloped, update of War of the Worlds. Produced at breakneck speed for a ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.90 out of 4 stars for Wakinglimb.comWakinglimb.com
On first glance War of the Worlds contains all the hallmarks of a great film from Steven Spielberg. We follow the story of Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) as he fights to keep his family alive from the alien extermination of humankind. This storytelling ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Wakinglimb.com
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.81 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)
We may all be dead by the time someone manages the strength to make an actual film about the attacks of September 11. Hopefully it will be from natural causes instead of subsequent terrorist action, but it will probably take a good half-century before ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)
The good parts are really good and the bad parts are really bad. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Village Voice (Michael Atkinson)Village Voice (Michael Atkinson)
Although it's thoroughly retooled, H.G. Wells's scenario doesn't allow for many soft landings, and the extreme respect for havoc on view quite properly keeps the Spielbergian cutesies to a minimum. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Village Voice (Michael Atkinson)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for The New York Times (A.O. Scott)The New York Times (A.O. Scott)
Acting is not really the point of this movie, which seems to arise above all from Mr. Spielberg's desire to reaffirm that he is, along with everything else, a master of pure action filmmaking. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at The New York Times (A.O. Scott)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for The Onion (A.V. Club) (Scott Tobias)The Onion (A.V. Club) (Scott Tobias)
In an unfortunate case of star casting, Cruise strains credibility as a hard-edged Jersey dockworker. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at The Onion (A.V. Club) (Scott Tobias)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Film Threat (Pete Vonder Haar)Film Threat (Pete Vonder Haar)
I thoroughly enjoyed the street level perspective of the world being destroyed, it just would've been nice if they hadn't crapped out at the end. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Film Threat (Pete Vonder Haar)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Bloody Disgusting (Brian Juergens)Bloody Disgusting (Brian Juergens)
Both epic and intensely personal – a near-impossible balancing act that Spielberg executes brilliantly for the first 100 minutes. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Bloody Disgusting (Brian Juergens)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
As is his wont, Spielberg can't resist stuffing the ending of the movie with a bit too much cheese and baloney. Despite those quibbles, War of the Worlds is taut, gripping and surprisingly dark filmmaking. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Detroit News (Tom Long)Detroit News (Tom Long)
In his latest science-fiction epic, director Steven Spielberg shows he's better at blowing up the world than anyone else alive. Unfortunately, he also shows he has no idea how to put the world back together. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Detroit News (Tom Long)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Georgia Straight (Ken Eisner)Georgia Straight (Ken Eisner)
The shadows of many movies loom over Steven Spielberg's take on War of the Worlds like so many alien tripods. There's the 1953 version, of course, of the famous H.G. Wells novel, which had suave Gene Barry battling the strange predators. And is there any ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Georgia Straight (Ken Eisner)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
That Spielberg may be too cuddly for this material is an obvious concern. But as parts of War of the Worlds prove, he possesses the ability to shake off the warm fuzzies and dive headlong into the abyss. Orson Welles -- whose take on the ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Denver Rocky Mountain News (Robert Denerstein)Denver Rocky Mountain News (Robert Denerstein)
Much is destroyed in Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds , but the movie never quite delivers an emotional knockout blow. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Denver Rocky Mountain News (Robert Denerstein)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.66 out of 4 stars for Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
"The beauty in this lesser in everything but the budget ($135 million) Spielberg film, is in the spectacle." ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.64 out of 4 stars for Close-Up Film (Jarrod Walker)Close-Up Film (Jarrod Walker)
The concept of mankind falling prey to an invading dominant alien species is one that seems to massage the film-going public’s paranoia in a highly profitable way. Whether we’re talking Independence Day or the TV series V (which Independence Day ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Close-Up Film (Jarrod Walker)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.52 out of 4 stars for Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)
Forget what Tom Cruise does outside his movies: What he does inside his movies is more than enough to wreck them. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Baltimore Sun (Michael Sragow)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.52 out of 4 stars for New York Post (Lou Lumenick)New York Post (Lou Lumenick)
Now that this technically impressive - but seriously flawed and self-referential - remake is finally in theaters to swell the July 4 weekend box office, conversation will doubtless shift to the lamest ending yet to a Steven Spielberg movie. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at New York Post (Lou Lumenick)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.52 out of 4 stars for Premiere (Aaron Hillis)Premiere (Aaron Hillis)
Has masterfully polished mechanics, some of the most seamless CGI effects in recent memory, and the Wells veneration is admirable. However, the film takes far too many creative shortcuts, like bookended narration and aliens that make strategically ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Premiere (Aaron Hillis)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.52 out of 4 stars for Boston Globe (Ty Burr)Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
War of the Worlds pushes some of the right buttons and enough of the wrong ones to make you wish that Spielberg would move on from aliens already and use his unparalleled talents to focus once more on earth. ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Tiscali UKTiscali UK
With the hype machine in full flow for Steven Spielberg's latest blockbuster, it has seemed at times that the film itself might be lost in the fascination of a star whose antics on American TV chat shows have become increasingly erratic. But, leaving the ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Tiscali UK
War of the Worlds (2005) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Friday & Saturday Review Friday & Saturday Review
Let’s begin with a quote from another film critic. That’s always fun (and less work for me). It’s a prophetic interlude from Roger Ebert, not from his “War of the Worlds†review (I haven’t read it yet) or even his “Close Encounters of the ...read the complete War of the Worlds movie review at Friday & Saturday Review
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War of the Worlds (2005)

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Overall Rating:
2.9341
War of the Worlds (2005) is ranked overall as  out of 4 stars
Avg Critic Score:
2.8830
War of the Worlds (2005) is ranked overall as  out of 4 stars
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