Post by jeffwaynefan on Jun 14, 2005 23:59:31 GMT
It's hard to believe that just a few months ago we had not heard of this adapatation of H.G.Wells classic science fiction masterpiece first published in book form back in 1898. With a 'hush hush' approach I must admit that I really did not know what to expect with this film version set in modern day U.S, but what a suprise it was.
THE ASYLUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
presents
David Michael Latt Film
H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS
(INVASION - alternative title)
Starring
C.Thomas Howell, Peter Greene, Jake Busy, Andy Lauer, Rhett Giles & Tinarie Van Wyk-Loots
Running Time: 97 minutes
16:9 Widescreen Presentation
5.1 Surround Sound Mix
SPEACIAL FEATURES
Actor's Commentary - Filmmaker's Commentary - Visual Effects "How'd They Do That" Documentary - Behind The Scenes Featurette - Deleated Scenes - Outtakes - Trailors - Animated Menus
H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS
Before we start, we have no opening like the book, no opening like the record, no narrator saying "No one would have believed", but hey, thats not all bad is it?. So what do we see for the opening of the film - a baron wasteland highlighted in red. This could be taken as Mars and Im pretty sure it is. The roaming camera lens pans slowly across the baron wasteland while a haunting opening score by Ralph Rieckermann captavates our senses.
C.Thomas Howell In H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS
C.Thomas Howell plays George Herbert (note the H.G connection there?), an astronomer/scientist and soon to be a man on a mission, while his wife and son are on there way to Washington, that very night the unexpected happens - his cars packs up. Big deal you are thinking, ahhh but wait, from the sky falls the first falling star, a huge cylinder from the depths of space. After a crowd has gathered and some poor inocent victim comes face to face with the cylinders contents, emerges the mother of all machines, armed with a Heat Ray we see for the first time the 60ft towering Martian machine named "walkers". And so starts off 90 minutes of world domination from an alien specie hell bent on destruction.
Through out the film there are many key moments that point you right to H.Gs classic novel, from the main charactor's rude awakening to life of a desperate struggle to reach his partner and son, fearing the worst has happened to them. His encounters with a soilder (Artillaryman) and his painful time spent trapped with a Paster (curate) as the Martians roam freely outside the ruined house scene, this being one of many favourite parts of the film, tense and with many scenes that are very close to the feel of the books chapter - 'What We Saw From The Ruined House'. One thing for sure, even after the Paster came face to face with a highly distressed woman, her reactions bought on by the war, the fate of religion hangs in the balance and even the Paster questions his own beliefs. This scene is particually moving.
For a example of what this film offers in a way of the book, here is just one off the top of my head.
George Herbert (Howell) after meeting up with the soilder (Artillaryman) both head off for a small town to find the place seemingly not bothered about the fact that the Martians are coming. George and the soilder are seperated during the battle with George finding a small boat. After drifting down river he comes ashore and sets about on foot. When the rains come he takes shelter in a abandoned pickup truck, drifting to sleep to then awake to find the Paster (Curate) sitting next to him. . . . The books chapter of "The Destruction Of Weybridge & Shepperton" spring to mind suddenly.
Washington DC plays as a backdrop to the demise of the Martians in H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS
"So what other delights do we get to see in this movie that will please WOTW fans?" - like the book these invaders machines come equiped with not only the Heat Ray but also gripping tenticles and the poisonous gas (this time not Black Smoke like the book, but in the form of a green deadly vapour). "And what of the Martians themselves?", well that would be telling wouldn't it, but you do get to see them on a few occasions and a cool scene of one as its climbs out of its Fighting Machine.
In all this is a highly entertaining low budget movie with some great effects, good acting that is both moving at times, powerful but certainly takes hold of your attention for the full 90 minutes. There are scenes of gore horror, nothing over the top, nothing too stomach churning, but enough for you go "eeeyyyoouuu". If I could find one fault with this film it would be this - more scenes of the machines in destruction mode.
THE ASYLUMS - H.G.WELLS' THE WAR OF THE WORLDS is bound to please not only The War Of The Worlds fans in general, but also those avid sci-fi buffs of both film and story. This is certainly one DVD you should have sitting on your shelf at home. O.K, so its not set in Victorian Britain, but you do seem to forget that once the film starts to roll. I give this a 'big' thumbs up.
For more information on THE ASYLUM and on how to obtain H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS when it's released on June 28th, please go to: www.theasylum.cc
THE ASYLUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
presents
David Michael Latt Film
H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS
(INVASION - alternative title)
Starring
C.Thomas Howell, Peter Greene, Jake Busy, Andy Lauer, Rhett Giles & Tinarie Van Wyk-Loots
Running Time: 97 minutes
16:9 Widescreen Presentation
5.1 Surround Sound Mix
SPEACIAL FEATURES
Actor's Commentary - Filmmaker's Commentary - Visual Effects "How'd They Do That" Documentary - Behind The Scenes Featurette - Deleated Scenes - Outtakes - Trailors - Animated Menus
H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS
Before we start, we have no opening like the book, no opening like the record, no narrator saying "No one would have believed", but hey, thats not all bad is it?. So what do we see for the opening of the film - a baron wasteland highlighted in red. This could be taken as Mars and Im pretty sure it is. The roaming camera lens pans slowly across the baron wasteland while a haunting opening score by Ralph Rieckermann captavates our senses.
C.Thomas Howell In H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS
C.Thomas Howell plays George Herbert (note the H.G connection there?), an astronomer/scientist and soon to be a man on a mission, while his wife and son are on there way to Washington, that very night the unexpected happens - his cars packs up. Big deal you are thinking, ahhh but wait, from the sky falls the first falling star, a huge cylinder from the depths of space. After a crowd has gathered and some poor inocent victim comes face to face with the cylinders contents, emerges the mother of all machines, armed with a Heat Ray we see for the first time the 60ft towering Martian machine named "walkers". And so starts off 90 minutes of world domination from an alien specie hell bent on destruction.
Through out the film there are many key moments that point you right to H.Gs classic novel, from the main charactor's rude awakening to life of a desperate struggle to reach his partner and son, fearing the worst has happened to them. His encounters with a soilder (Artillaryman) and his painful time spent trapped with a Paster (curate) as the Martians roam freely outside the ruined house scene, this being one of many favourite parts of the film, tense and with many scenes that are very close to the feel of the books chapter - 'What We Saw From The Ruined House'. One thing for sure, even after the Paster came face to face with a highly distressed woman, her reactions bought on by the war, the fate of religion hangs in the balance and even the Paster questions his own beliefs. This scene is particually moving.
For a example of what this film offers in a way of the book, here is just one off the top of my head.
George Herbert (Howell) after meeting up with the soilder (Artillaryman) both head off for a small town to find the place seemingly not bothered about the fact that the Martians are coming. George and the soilder are seperated during the battle with George finding a small boat. After drifting down river he comes ashore and sets about on foot. When the rains come he takes shelter in a abandoned pickup truck, drifting to sleep to then awake to find the Paster (Curate) sitting next to him. . . . The books chapter of "The Destruction Of Weybridge & Shepperton" spring to mind suddenly.
Washington DC plays as a backdrop to the demise of the Martians in H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS
"So what other delights do we get to see in this movie that will please WOTW fans?" - like the book these invaders machines come equiped with not only the Heat Ray but also gripping tenticles and the poisonous gas (this time not Black Smoke like the book, but in the form of a green deadly vapour). "And what of the Martians themselves?", well that would be telling wouldn't it, but you do get to see them on a few occasions and a cool scene of one as its climbs out of its Fighting Machine.
In all this is a highly entertaining low budget movie with some great effects, good acting that is both moving at times, powerful but certainly takes hold of your attention for the full 90 minutes. There are scenes of gore horror, nothing over the top, nothing too stomach churning, but enough for you go "eeeyyyoouuu". If I could find one fault with this film it would be this - more scenes of the machines in destruction mode.
THE ASYLUMS - H.G.WELLS' THE WAR OF THE WORLDS is bound to please not only The War Of The Worlds fans in general, but also those avid sci-fi buffs of both film and story. This is certainly one DVD you should have sitting on your shelf at home. O.K, so its not set in Victorian Britain, but you do seem to forget that once the film starts to roll. I give this a 'big' thumbs up.
For more information on THE ASYLUM and on how to obtain H.G.WELLS' WAR OF THE WORLDS when it's released on June 28th, please go to: www.theasylum.cc
