As a child of the 80s and 90s, I vividly remember the thrill that came with each new Steven Spielberg film, especially those involving aliens. The first time I watched “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” was a life-changing experience for me, and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” still stands as one of my all-time favorites. So, when “War of the Worlds” graced our screens in 2005, I was eagerly awaiting another dose of Spielberg’s alien magic.
In a short while, the science fiction horror movie, War of the Worlds, directed by the renowned Steven Spielberg, is set to arrive on a popular streaming platform, much like an extraterrestrial mothership. Beginning November 1, this blockbuster featuring various stars will be available for viewing on Prime Video.
According to H.G. Wells’ famous novel titled “War of the Worlds,” Spielberg’s 2005 film adaptation is often overlooked amidst other genre movies, having been released in an era dominated by the Internet and thankfully without any leaks. When viewers first watched Spielberg’s take on alien invasion for the first time, its grandeur echoed some of his iconic productions. However, unlike previous works where aliens might have played a friendly tune, these extraterrestrials aimed to wipe out our species instead of offering an olive branch.
The movie “War of the Worlds” revolves around Ray Ferrier, a blue-collar father from New Jersey who’s somewhat distant from his kids. On a weekend that he’s trying to spend quality time with them, an unusual storm rolls in. What seems like an ordinary thunderstorm quickly proves different as lightning strikes unlike any Ray has ever encountered. Curious and concerned, he ventures out seeking answers only to witness the emergence of terrifying alien spacecraft from the ground. One of Spielberg’s most chilling scenes unfolds before his eyes as gigantic tripods rise, unleashing lasers that reduce humans to ashes. With sheer determination, Ray gathers his children and hops on a truck, narrowly escaping the city as the cityscape is decimated by the alien onslaught. As they flee, they realize the scale of the attack and grasp the potential annihilation of human civilization.
In movie theaters worldwide, the alien invasion flick raked in over $600 million and earned nominations for three Academy Awards: Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing. Steven Spielberg’s team boasted an impressive cast of A-listers, including John Williams contributing one of his lesser-known film scores. Critics generally welcomed the contemporary take on the timeless tale; however, some felt displeased with the second part of the movie. The Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes currently stands at 76%.
Spielberg is Set to Return to the Alien Subgenre
2005 saw the production of “War of the Worlds,” which was among Spielberg’s last films centered around extraterrestrial themes. However, in 2008, he directed “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” While this movie does incorporate an alien motif, its primary focus remains on Indiana Jones’ action-adventure, with the extra-terrestrial elements coming into play later.
It’s being whispered that the director’s upcoming movie might be about UFOs. This film, which is said to be penned by David Koepp, known for his work on movies like “War of the Worlds” with Josh Friedman and Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park,” is also rumored to feature Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, and others.
Spielberg’s films depicting aliens (of all forms and with various purposes) include:
| Title | Year of Release | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|
| Firelight | 1964 | Amateur film that’s never been released |
| Close Encounters of the Third Kind | 1977 | 90% |
| E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial | 1982 | 99% |
| War of the Worlds | 2005 | 76% |
| Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull | 2008 | 77% |
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2024-10-30 02:01