War of the Worlds: Your views

Cruise plays a father trying to keep his family together

Based on the classic novel by HG Wells, the film stars Tom Cruise as a working-class father of two forced to flee in the face of an awesome alien invasion.

Boasting state-of-the-art special effects and shocking scenes of chaos and mayhem, the film took $34.6m (�19.5m) on its opening day in the US.

But will Tom Cruise's off-screen antics with fianc�e Katie Holmes put you off seeing his new film?

And with the events of September 2001 and the Asian tsunami still fresh in our minds, is the world ready for a film that presents scenes of catastrophe and mass destruction as popcorn entertainment?

We wanted to know what you think of War of the Worlds. This debate is now closed but you can read some of your comments below.

After watching Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds last night I was pleasantly surprised. With so much publicity surrounding the movie, fueled by lead actor Tom Cruise's bizarre romance with Katie Holmes, I expected the movie to be sub-par. Happily, it was exactly the opposite. The plot was frightening and the family-drama aspect of the story was especially believable, thanks in large part to a great performance by Dakota Fanning. Unlike so many alien movies where the aliens are cheesy computer generated creations, the aliens in this were unique and organic. The only negative I felt was Tim Robbins' performance. He is one of the best actors of out generation and I felt his small role should have been expanded. Overall, War of the Worlds left me pleased and looking uneasily at the night sky.
Zvi Gruenspecht, New York, USA

While the beginning hour of this movie was wildly entertaining and imaginative, after a while I just got bored. The tension was always so rigid and Speilberg rarely took a moment to relieve the audience. The ending was also too cheesy. On the whole, I would recommend seeing the film because the first hour or so was worth it, but after that, feel free to go home.
Cathy Ruccolo, Boston, MA USA

I am so sick of seeing Cruise in the press that I just can't watch this movie. He's just become too annoying with his very public personal life to be enjoyed as an actor anymore.
Finnigan, Seattle, WA

On the plus side, the suspense and relentless destruction and terror meant I was gripping the cinema seat for most of the movie; I can't stand Tom Cruise usually but thought he was fantastic; it includes a cute kid who can actually act and is not at all annoying; and it's a return to form by Spielberg from the crass The Terminal last year. On the down side, the film has major flaws - we are never told where the aliens come from, what they want or where they go; the film starts on a global scale but we only see destruction in America (no surprises); and the ending is pathetic, a complete cop out. There are lots of cliches - e.g someone flicking through the TV channels seeing snatches of news reports (done much better in Shaun of the Dead!) - and similarities to other films. But it's a good popcorn movie - just don't take along anyone too young who may be freaked out by some of the scenes......
Sarah, Leicester

I liked the 1953 film better.
Alan Colosi, Boston, Massachusetts

We loved the movie, action all the way! A movie you can see at least twice. Wish more men were so excited about being in love! Katie is lucky to have such a person.
Carol, Mesa, USA

INTENSE is the best word to describe this movie. Go there, suspend belief and you will be in for a fast paced, exciting two hours. I saw it Wednesday evening and my shoulders ached all day yesterday, Thursday--I held onto the seat and my husband so tightly, that that was the consequence! The ending was a typical, "feel good" from Spielberg but other than that, it was, again, INTENSE...I give it two thumbs up...do not allow children under 13 or so to see it...they WILL be disturbed.
Jane C, McKinleyville, California USA

Excellent movie afer a long time. Good to see normal characters and a well built story. We will see it again as one time is not enough to capture all the action!!!
Naren Erry, McKinney, TX

Nice special effects but acting was uneven and story seemed to be edited by amateurs. Sorry, 50's version much better even without the special effects. Wait for it to go to DVD.
Roger Caddell, San Diego USA

My wife dragged me to see this film, as she does with all Tom Cruise films. The special effects were truly spectacular. Cruise sucked.
Phil Smith, Ashburn VA USA

Spielberg's new film "War of the Worlds" does not bring back memories of September 11 for me or anyone else I know. I really believe that the media has been boasting this "fear" as a ploy to reinstate panic in the minds of Americans since President Bush is losing a great amount of support for both his domestic agendas and his war. Maybe we really are so disillusioned by our televisions and separated from reality that this will cause some to panic but I think that Americans for the most part are being told how to think and react.
Keith Cruz, [email protected]

The film was top-notch, and stressful. Not a moment's rest was given to the audience. I left with a headache but it was WELL worth it. I smell a nomination for Dakota.
Aaron Clements, Washington, DC

Special effects and audio where utterly stunning. Shame that the ending spoilt it, overall I felt the film was poorly directed, the acting was shoddy, and very poorly scripted. Far from the best Spielberg film to date.
Adam Hardy, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

War of The Worlds is one of those films that has lived up to the hype surrounding it. It is literally only 10 minutes before you are thrust straight into the action and rollercoaster of mankinds survival against one of the greatest alien invasions seen in a film. Tom Cruise convincingly shows his abilty to play yet another diverse role.
Marc Samuel, Abertillery, South Wales

This movie has awesome mouth-dropping special effects. The story had some weakness in it. But Tom Cruise is very watchable. He is such a good actor that you literally can't take your eyes off him.
Belle,

It wasn't anything much like the book, although it was a long time ago that i read it! Tom Cruise was very believable as the useless father but he could have played that role in any film - there was no need to make WOTW like that - overall disappointing and not helped AT ALL by Radio Three's arts programme having alerted me to the ending! Thanks a lot!!
Jane Napier, Southampton England

Jawdropping, terrifying, well scripted and hugely entertaining. Without doubt the best Spielberg production since his Jaws days.
Zak Kahn , Glasgow, Scotland

Went in to see it very sceptical as I did enjoy the book and original. But have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Great special effects, fast moving and hardly any soppy moments.
James Kelly, London, UK

I saw the film last night and was pleased that it lived up to the good reviews. The special effects were particularly realistic - especially the shots of the aliens. There were the usual far-fetched scenes thrown in but overall the acting on the part of Cruise and especially the little girl, was convincing. As for Tom and Katie's goings-on although it doesn't seem an obvious coupling who are we to judge? As long as they are happy - I say go for it! As for Sept 11th, it didn't cross my mind once when watching this film. On a daily basis there are human atrocities that go on all over the world but we seem to put those aside in favour of hanging on to the dramatic events that affect those close to home. No, we aren't going to forget Sept 11th, but come on let's stop harping back to it at every opportunity - something bad happened but like everything in life there are lessons that can be drawn from the experience. Take those and move on instead laboring on the sadness of it all. So for War of the Worlds I'd highly recommend seeing it at the big screen - and like me you may still feel like humming the Jeff Wayne theme in your head while you sit back and enjoy the ride!
Linda Jarrett, California, USA (Ex-Pat)

Went and saw it last night in an advance preview. I must say Tom Cruise played the part rather well. Shame there weren't that many sequences of us fighting these machines, but still well worth the money to have seen it! Glad Spielberg's put his touch to it even though it has converted from book to radio, to cheesy b-movie, to vinyl and now this, great interpetation. Well done! One thing I will say though even though it's a 12a it gives you all the tension and suspense you need and Cruise's co-star played brilliantly! Will definitely buy it on DVD when it gets released.
Natasha Smith, Aylesbury, Uk

For summer fare it is well done and fulfills its job of absorbing entertainment.
Inger Kuhl, New York City, USA

Good acting and great effects. Unfortunately the narration and happy ending ruin the film. Speilberg has made better films.
Blake Kenyon, Birmingham USA

The film was very good - excellent atmosphere and CGI. Best film this year. The only two negative parts about the film are the ending and that there is no sense of time. How long did the invasion last for?
Stewart, Canada

I saw it in Gijon, Spain, dubbed into Spanish, and I liked it a lot. It is violent, but not too much, and it makes you feel for the victims. It is also not too ambitious. It has a tight focus on the father and his daugher and son. It's a different from the novel, true, but that's a not a fault. It's a pretty good homage to the two Wellses, H.G. and Orson....
Ondrej Elleder, Prague, Czech Republic

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