SCHLUSSEL: "War of Worlds" Spielberg-esque Message: Don't Fight Terror

DebbieSchlussel.com ^ | June 28, 2005 | Debbie Schlussel

[PigRigger]

Saw the movie yesterday.

Although what you say is true (about the line); I don't believe there were any political overtones meant to be communicated in the movie.

This is a case of much ado about nothing IMHO........

[Austin Willard Wright]

This movie is actually much more pro "resistance" than the 1950s version which portrayed resistance as totally worthless. Don't listen to the naysayers. The movie is well worth watching.

[acompleteunknown]

I think if you want to see meaning in something you can twist the piece to make it mean anything you want.

1. 9/11 imagery - get used to it everyone, it's not going away, it's part of our culture now. Just like atomic destruction is everywhere in Japanese art, this will become our new influence.
2. Analogy for terrorism - you all must be high - Tom Cruise is a mortal man made of flesh. The tripods are ten story machines with laser beams. Of course he ran for his life. What was he supposed to do, fight them with his pistol? (BTW, he owned a gun - not very leftist)
3. The major character arc of the story was Tom C's inability to make a stand for his family. He wasn't a good dad and over the course of the film he learned to respect his children as people. He learned from his son when the son was "pro-active" in helping the people on the boat. And the whole movie the son wants to fight. Tom tries to stop him because he doesn't understand. Halfway through, Tom listens to his son and lets him go fight. He SUPPORTS fighting back.
4. Tim Robbins was crazy. He was trying to dig a hole to China. When Tom kills him, it's his character realizing that he can't run away from the problem, he has to stand and fight it. (flies in the face of the liberal conspiracy theory, doesn't it?)
5. Tom C ultimately fights one of the tripods on his own. Yes, fights, not runs. Although he takes one down in an attempted suicide bomb. Is that Spielberg's message...that we fight terrorism with terrorism?
6. The end - It's how the book ends! Does no one read anymore? Had Spielberg changed the ending, the critics would have bashed him silly.
7. The message that the movie is saying that we should fight terrorism by hiding our heads in the sand is stupid and was contrived to drum up controversy.

[chris1]

I saw the movie and did not take it as being political in any sense.

I liked it for entertainment value.

[DM1]

yes the book does have our atmosphere kill them but i think the line is something like
"bacteria that no longer affects us began to kill them. God in his infinite wisdom placed these on earth..."
something along those lines anyway