Post by Quorthon on Feb 3, 2006 12:17:28 GMT -5
The War of the Worlds
Science Fiction with Horror elements
1953
Color
MPAA Rating: PG
Directed by: Byron Haskin
USA
This is one of Science Fiction’s greatest films, and, one of it’s greatest stories. Amazing when one considers that it was the first ever alien invasion story! Add to that that this is one of Hollywood’s great classic films, it should be pretty easy to go into this believing that we’re going to watch something with at least a degree of quality to it.
This, of course, is the story of how the creatures from Mars, who looked upon the Earth with envious eyes, sought to invade the planet to revive their own dying race. Simple as that. Every attempt to fight back returns with failure. The slaughter of the human race looks imminent through and through. But as we all are aware, luck may be on the side of man.
Here’s the breakdown:
The Good:
--The acting for the most part is pretty good.
--For the time, some excellent special effects. Mostly on the alien ships, weapons, and destruction they create.
--Fantastic, now classic, sound effects carry the destruction and strange other-worldly feel of the alien vehicles along.
--Great music, with one of the better opening/title sequences of the time.
--Decent narration.
--Follows much of the novel pretty well, though takes a lot of artistic liberties in the characters to settle them in the at-the-time-current ideals of the 1950’s.
--Great action and atmosphere.
--While you watch the movie, keep in mind the fear of Communism that hung over America at the time. That paranoia is present in the film—like most all 1950’s SF films.
--The boredom which accompanies a lot of 50’s era SF films, when they try to explain every detail of everything, is relatively absent here.
Didn’t Hurt It, Didn’t Help:
--Some pretty cheesy writing. This helped speed along the 1950’s-era Science Fiction/Alien/UFO movies. It has a feel similar to many of those films, but is generally written much better.
--The aliens themselves are a little cheesy looking. Complete with suction cup fingertips. Weird “camera lens” eyes, but good color choice on the skin. Not nearly as wooden, plastery, or overly rubbery like many aliens from this era. So, they’re above average for the time. Some subtle details here and there give them some strengths, such as pulsating skin to mimic blood circulating.
The Bad:
--The first 15 minutes or so are pretty cheesy—both in characters and writing. The opening sequence adds in a now comical look at the “other planets the Martians may have considered before deciding to invade Earth.” Science here is barely touched upon—it’s mostly wild fantasy. Somehow, Jupiter has become gigantic volcanic nightmare world—which we now know is ludicrous—It’s a gigantic gas world, with a theoretically heavily compacted core. It is not a sweltering, rocky landscape of fire and brimstone. This is just one example. Pretty laughable.
--No tripods. Instead, the film was made to capitalize on the extremely popular “flying saucer” or “flying disks” which were becoming rampant in the 1950’s.
The Ugly:
--A scene with square dancing!
Memorable Scene:
--Easily any scene showing the alien crafts moving along firing constantly on anything that moves—and a lot that doesn’t.
Fun Fact:
--The hero is named Clayton Forrester. Fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 will recognize the name as that of the evil professor with crazy hair and goofy glasses who stuck a man in space to torture him with bad movies.
Comparisons to the 2005 remake:
***WARNING: THIS SECTION MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***
--The book takes place in the late 1800's in England. Both movies take place, in “modern” (at the time) times--in America.
--The 2005 remake brought back the tripods, which looked fantastic. The reasons for the lack of tripods in the ’53 version was, as I stated, quite likely due to the popularity of flying saucers at the time. Also, there may have been technical limitations preventing such special effects.
--Both films incorporate the idea that the Martians have somehow knocked out all power—electric, electronic, mechanical upon their invasion.
--In 1953, the Martians still come from space, riding in meteors—just like the book. The 2005 version created a somewhat absurd notion that the tripods had always been buried just under our feet.
--Somewhat stronger atmosphere of fear in the 2005 version. The ’53 film’s atmosphere was more relegated to paranoia than fear or terror.
--The ending of the ’53 film is much more satisfying than the ending of the 2005 remake. Spielberg once again stuffed in some Disney-like happy ending regardless of plot occurrences.
--The aliens in both films are unique, and decently interesting. However, both films were pretty inaccurate to the novel’s “octopus-like” monsters.
--The ’53 film focused on explaining all the scientific aspects of the aliens they possibly could. On top of which, there was heavy scientific (and pseudo-scientific) dialog throughout the film. This was commonplace in 50’s-era science fiction. The ’05 remake focused more heavily on running, survival, and terror.
--Both films kept an opening narration, keeping in line with the novel.
--Both films kept all military retaliation heavy and unsuccessful.
--The red weed was absent in the ’53 version. While it did make an appearance in the ’05 remake, it was underused as compared to the book.
--Neither film takes place during the time of the novel—which was the late 1800’s, just before the dawn of the 20th Century.
--Both films keep the spirit of the book’s ending, and both follow it to the novel fairly closely. However, again, the ’05 remake included some added elements which belong more in a sappy Disney film than in a terrifying alien invasion film.
--The film’s each depict radically different heroes. They’re made out to be easy to relate to in the era into which each film was released. The 53 version brings us a manly, but wildly intelligent and brave scientist. The ’05 remake shows us a down-trodden, life-suffering single father who gets his shit together for his kids.
--The destruction shown in both films is simply fantastic, and at times, immense. However, the ’05 version, relying on Spielberg’s millions, was able to show devastation so immense that it was almost overwhelming. Passenger airliners strewn about, roadways blown to smithereens, buildings eviscerated, people vaporized, the destruction is simply amazing to behold.
--The 2005 version is more depressing, while the ’53 film is more hopeful.
--The bottom line here is that both movies follow the original novel pretty well, though in many different areas. For instance, in 1953 the Martians still arrive via meteor, but in 2005, they’re in the tripods. So, when all is said and done, the films are roughly equal. Each excel in quality special effects and atmosphere. But each is made catering to a specific audience of their respective eras.
Acting: 8/10
Story: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Character Development: 8/10
Special Effects/Make-up: 10/10
Nudity/Sexuality: 0/10
Violence: 7/10 (a lot of destruction and chaos)
Gore: 2/10 (just blood)
Dialog: 7/10
Music: 9/10
Direction: 9/10
Cheesiness: 2/10
Crappiness: 0/10
Overall: 8/10
Quite simply, this is one of Hollywood’s best Science Fiction films. Heavy on the science and, rare for the 50’s, with a higher than average degree of accuracy. However there are some imperfections grown from newer discoveries through the years. Also, this is rare as a full-color piece from the 50’s. Top-notch special effects and sound effects. Great for movie buffs and science fiction fans. Highly recommended.
Science Fiction with Horror elements
1953
Color
MPAA Rating: PG
Directed by: Byron Haskin
USA
This is one of Science Fiction’s greatest films, and, one of it’s greatest stories. Amazing when one considers that it was the first ever alien invasion story! Add to that that this is one of Hollywood’s great classic films, it should be pretty easy to go into this believing that we’re going to watch something with at least a degree of quality to it.
This, of course, is the story of how the creatures from Mars, who looked upon the Earth with envious eyes, sought to invade the planet to revive their own dying race. Simple as that. Every attempt to fight back returns with failure. The slaughter of the human race looks imminent through and through. But as we all are aware, luck may be on the side of man.
Here’s the breakdown:
The Good:
--The acting for the most part is pretty good.
--For the time, some excellent special effects. Mostly on the alien ships, weapons, and destruction they create.
--Fantastic, now classic, sound effects carry the destruction and strange other-worldly feel of the alien vehicles along.
--Great music, with one of the better opening/title sequences of the time.
--Decent narration.
--Follows much of the novel pretty well, though takes a lot of artistic liberties in the characters to settle them in the at-the-time-current ideals of the 1950’s.
--Great action and atmosphere.
--While you watch the movie, keep in mind the fear of Communism that hung over America at the time. That paranoia is present in the film—like most all 1950’s SF films.
--The boredom which accompanies a lot of 50’s era SF films, when they try to explain every detail of everything, is relatively absent here.
Didn’t Hurt It, Didn’t Help:
--Some pretty cheesy writing. This helped speed along the 1950’s-era Science Fiction/Alien/UFO movies. It has a feel similar to many of those films, but is generally written much better.
--The aliens themselves are a little cheesy looking. Complete with suction cup fingertips. Weird “camera lens” eyes, but good color choice on the skin. Not nearly as wooden, plastery, or overly rubbery like many aliens from this era. So, they’re above average for the time. Some subtle details here and there give them some strengths, such as pulsating skin to mimic blood circulating.
The Bad:
--The first 15 minutes or so are pretty cheesy—both in characters and writing. The opening sequence adds in a now comical look at the “other planets the Martians may have considered before deciding to invade Earth.” Science here is barely touched upon—it’s mostly wild fantasy. Somehow, Jupiter has become gigantic volcanic nightmare world—which we now know is ludicrous—It’s a gigantic gas world, with a theoretically heavily compacted core. It is not a sweltering, rocky landscape of fire and brimstone. This is just one example. Pretty laughable.
--No tripods. Instead, the film was made to capitalize on the extremely popular “flying saucer” or “flying disks” which were becoming rampant in the 1950’s.
The Ugly:
--A scene with square dancing!
Memorable Scene:
--Easily any scene showing the alien crafts moving along firing constantly on anything that moves—and a lot that doesn’t.
Fun Fact:
--The hero is named Clayton Forrester. Fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 will recognize the name as that of the evil professor with crazy hair and goofy glasses who stuck a man in space to torture him with bad movies.
Comparisons to the 2005 remake:
***WARNING: THIS SECTION MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***
--The book takes place in the late 1800's in England. Both movies take place, in “modern” (at the time) times--in America.
--The 2005 remake brought back the tripods, which looked fantastic. The reasons for the lack of tripods in the ’53 version was, as I stated, quite likely due to the popularity of flying saucers at the time. Also, there may have been technical limitations preventing such special effects.
--Both films incorporate the idea that the Martians have somehow knocked out all power—electric, electronic, mechanical upon their invasion.
--In 1953, the Martians still come from space, riding in meteors—just like the book. The 2005 version created a somewhat absurd notion that the tripods had always been buried just under our feet.
--Somewhat stronger atmosphere of fear in the 2005 version. The ’53 film’s atmosphere was more relegated to paranoia than fear or terror.
--The ending of the ’53 film is much more satisfying than the ending of the 2005 remake. Spielberg once again stuffed in some Disney-like happy ending regardless of plot occurrences.
--The aliens in both films are unique, and decently interesting. However, both films were pretty inaccurate to the novel’s “octopus-like” monsters.
--The ’53 film focused on explaining all the scientific aspects of the aliens they possibly could. On top of which, there was heavy scientific (and pseudo-scientific) dialog throughout the film. This was commonplace in 50’s-era science fiction. The ’05 remake focused more heavily on running, survival, and terror.
--Both films kept an opening narration, keeping in line with the novel.
--Both films kept all military retaliation heavy and unsuccessful.
--The red weed was absent in the ’53 version. While it did make an appearance in the ’05 remake, it was underused as compared to the book.
--Neither film takes place during the time of the novel—which was the late 1800’s, just before the dawn of the 20th Century.
--Both films keep the spirit of the book’s ending, and both follow it to the novel fairly closely. However, again, the ’05 remake included some added elements which belong more in a sappy Disney film than in a terrifying alien invasion film.
--The film’s each depict radically different heroes. They’re made out to be easy to relate to in the era into which each film was released. The 53 version brings us a manly, but wildly intelligent and brave scientist. The ’05 remake shows us a down-trodden, life-suffering single father who gets his shit together for his kids.
--The destruction shown in both films is simply fantastic, and at times, immense. However, the ’05 version, relying on Spielberg’s millions, was able to show devastation so immense that it was almost overwhelming. Passenger airliners strewn about, roadways blown to smithereens, buildings eviscerated, people vaporized, the destruction is simply amazing to behold.
--The 2005 version is more depressing, while the ’53 film is more hopeful.
--The bottom line here is that both movies follow the original novel pretty well, though in many different areas. For instance, in 1953 the Martians still arrive via meteor, but in 2005, they’re in the tripods. So, when all is said and done, the films are roughly equal. Each excel in quality special effects and atmosphere. But each is made catering to a specific audience of their respective eras.
Acting: 8/10
Story: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Character Development: 8/10
Special Effects/Make-up: 10/10
Nudity/Sexuality: 0/10
Violence: 7/10 (a lot of destruction and chaos)
Gore: 2/10 (just blood)
Dialog: 7/10
Music: 9/10
Direction: 9/10
Cheesiness: 2/10
Crappiness: 0/10
Overall: 8/10
Quite simply, this is one of Hollywood’s best Science Fiction films. Heavy on the science and, rare for the 50’s, with a higher than average degree of accuracy. However there are some imperfections grown from newer discoveries through the years. Also, this is rare as a full-color piece from the 50’s. Top-notch special effects and sound effects. Great for movie buffs and science fiction fans. Highly recommended.
