War of the Worlds (2005)

McCarthy finds the film gritty, intense, and supremely accomplished, with its visceral attack sustaining the tension. He especially praises the naturalistic visual effects and the precisely staged farmhouse basement sequence.

Jones calls it a spectacular disaster epic, though he finds its first half much stronger than its second. He praises the escalating tension and transfixing human drama.

Ebert’s verdict is positive but qualified. He singles out the film’s most effective sequences, while finding it uneven overall.

Kipp finds the film powerfully humane and morally ambitious, though its ending weakens that achievement. He praises Spielberg’s visceral, ground-level depiction of the invasion and the human cost of its destruction.

The discussion finds the film a powerful and worthwhile disaster movie, despite criticizing its ending and some script logic. It especially praises Spielberg’s unsettling depiction of panic and violence, including the scene of a man clawing through a shattered windshield.

Kennedy finds the film an impressive but uneven blockbuster, with its final act and sentimental ending weakening the overall effect. He especially praises the terrifying, immediate staging of the alien attack and its post-9/11 resonance.

The review appears to begin by questioning the film’s secrecy, then hints it may exceed those suspicions. The available text is too truncated to identify what the critic praises or criticizes.

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Mackie finds the film worth seeing, though it lacks the jolt of its inspirations. He praises its effective opening and memorable scenes, but says key moments recall Spielberg’s earlier hits.

Tobias praises the film’s gripping visual storytelling and sustained tension, but finds its ending hollow and damaging. He singles out Spielberg’s command of effects and suspense as the film’s chief strength.

Denby finds the film’s disaster sequences stunning but criticizes its narrow, star-driven focus and lack of curiosity about the aliens. He particularly praises the weight and surprise of Spielberg’s moving-camera destruction scenes.

The critic finds the film bleak and ultimately undermined by its silly ending, despite its spectacle and Cruise’s effective performance. He especially praises the scenes of the alien machines erupting from the ground and the film’s vivid paranoid imagery.

Gallagher gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, while admitting his fondness for Spielberg may make him biased. He praises the breathtaking destruction, striking sets and distinctive alien designs.

Wampler remains a fan but finds the Blu-ray release and the film’s ending disappointing. He praises the film’s intense alien-invasion sequences, while faulting its grainy presentation and abrupt, overly tidy conclusion.