Still, on a per-minute basis, no film this year offers the incredible sights War of the Worlds does. In fact, it's been ages since we've been given such a visual eye candy treat, one done so well, the questions you have don't enter your mind until it's over. You're sucked into the on-screen action, and that's exactly what this film should do to its audience. (**** out of *****)
Presented in proper 1.85:1 widescreen, this is a hard transfer to judge. With all the color correction, blooming, and contrast changes, it's impossible to gauge what is a DVD mastering problem and what was intended. In scenes that appear normal, it's a flawless presentation. Detail, black levels, and sharpness are stunning. It captures all of the detail needed to create the believable effects and it's one more way to avoid noticing how none of this makes sense. (*****)
While the video is a tough call, the audio is not. All of the sound mixing pays off on DVD, both in standard 5.1 and DTS 5.1. This is a loud, demanding, and ear-blistering audio presentation, and the only way to listen to it is to blare it. Alien lasers can be heard moving from front to back in a sweeping motion as they take our planet, and explosions provide the best type of bass: the stuff that knocks things off the wall. Also, anytime a giant machine destroys an entire city block just to start up, you know this is going to be intense. (*****)
This single disc edition of the film only offers one feature: Designing the Enemy. It's a short feature on how Spielberg (and his team) designed the tripods and aliens that pilot them. There are some fun animatics and tests to watch, but that's it. (*)
Even though the character's ending is a letdown, it's nice to see a change from the original script. On paper, Tom Cruise's character explains the ending to Dakota Fanning. On film, Morgan Freeman narrates while providing the necessary information lifted right from the book.
ED: JH
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