War of the Worlds (2005) - Full Reaction

if only tom cruise was literally anyone but tom cruise

VOCFM

It's a near masterpiece. I wish they could go in and edit the son right out of the whole film. And that Tim Robbins scene never really worked that well. Cruise and Fanning were both terrific. I do not rate it as high as the classic 1953 film or the original novel by HG Wells, both of which I feel are genuine masterpieces.

thansen

The lesson H.G. Wells was trying to convey is just how fragile the human really is, but how resilient our bodily systems have become. But Robbie was a total idiot.

Darreld Studie

At the time HG Wells wrote it, the ending was fantastic. Still is, in my opinion.

Ben Livingstone

Finally got around to watching this one. I really didn't like this move first time round so I put off watching this reaction for a while. I knew this wouldn't be for Cassie, but when I saw Carly was watching this one too... Oh boy! Surprised Carly stuck it out to the end but I'm glad she did. Cassie & Carly's befuddlement by the ending made me laugh out loud. I felt the same when I first watched it. We didn't defeat the aliens, we survived long enough for them to catch a cold. What!? Such lazy writing!

Luke Godfrey

At least Cruise didnt need to act like a bad father, since he is the worst in real life

Craig Hepworth

The 1953 version is also worth watching.

RJ MacReady

I tried to watch this again for C&C's sake, but I just couldn't finish it. I can't stand this version of War Of The Worlds. None of the characters make me want to root for them, especially the son. My goodness, he's one of the most unlikeable characters I've ever seen in a movie. A rare miss by Spielberg, give me the 1953 version over this ANY day.

Patrick Egan

Cassie has already done reactions to both Alien and Aliens. Both legendary reactions! Go checkout asap!

Shawn Kildal

Yeah, I always wondered about that. How such highly intelligent aliens would not account for "germs"

Clay F

I believe that she has already reacted to Independence Day?

Clay F

Don't forget that Independence Day is a fun reimaging of War of the Worlds and would make a good double feature along with one of the other adaptations.

Patrick Toscano

I can't believe i use to be against Carly joining reactions. Amazing reaction. You two should do Alien as Carly is okay with aliens

Eric Wallace

The first half of this movie is great but when you realize these aliens never developed infra-red or germ theory and antibiotics, it's a bit cringe lol but I really enjoyed your reactions!

Matthew

Wow…watching you and Carly react to this movie was just as gripping and intense as watching the movie itself. The anxiety on both of your faces was really palpable. This is one of those movies that makes you think…what would I do in this situation?!?! It just seems so hopeless, and the easiest thing to do would be to give up. But in my mind I think I would have the courage, like Ray, to do whatever it takes to protect my family and survive. PHEW!! That was an exhausting watch-along! I’m going to sleep like a baby tonight.

Dan M

War of the Worlds TV Media: War of the Worlds (1988–1990 Paramount TV Series ) In a supposed continuation of the 1953 movie, a small group of aliens that survived the Martian Invasion work to make Earth more susceptible to a new Invasion by possessing human bodies to complete their mission. The War of the Worlds (2019 BBC TV series) This series is an Edwardian period adaptation of H.G. Wells' 1898 science fiction novel. War of the Worlds (2019 Fox/Canal+ TV series) In Europe, pockets of humanity survive after the Martian Invasion. With Gabriel Byrne & Elizabeth McGovern.

OB-Wan222

Are you kidding? That broadcast has been mentioned at least a half a dozen times throughout these comments.

Stick Figure Studios

I forgot how intense this movie was. 90% was edge of your seat anxiety. But the end just felt empty. It kind of reminds me of Signs in that way. Though at least Signs had a satisfying action moment. Yeah that jump scare that got you both so badly got me too. These aliens were very creepy. I've seen the 1953 version as well. Even with 1953 effects it's still pretty terrifying.

Marty McGee

Other World of the Worlds Media: The War of the Worlds (1898) Original H. G. Wells Novel set in 1899 United Kingdom, acts as the bases for every future adaptation. The main character is "The Narrator" never given an actual name and the who story is from his point of view. Link to Novel - https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36/36-h/36-h.htm -------------------------------------------------- The War of the Worlds (1938) A Radio Broadcast by The Mercury Theatre. It was a Halloween episode acting as an adaptation of War of the Worlds directed and narrated by Orson Welles. It was treated like a news report with music playing in-between and then cutting to breaking news with accounts of an unknown object falling in Grovers Mill, New Jersey. It would then cut in between songs and back to a reporter covering the events. People who missed the introduction stating that it was a fictional broadcast or tuned in late thought the whole thing was real leading to people thinking the U.S was actually being invaded by Aliens. The whole thing is only 57 minutes and a really fun listen. Link to Radio Broadcast - https://youtu.be/Xs0K4ApWl4g ---------------------------------------------------- The War of the Worlds (1953) The first War of the Worlds film directed by Byron Haskin. Set in 1950s California it showcases the Martian invasion with a 1950s spin. Solid film that I think you'd really enjoy but it's very much it's own thing not connected to the events of the original novel. Movie can be watched on Prime Video, Apple TV etc. ----------------------------------------------------- Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds (1978) This is my personal favourite War of the Worlds slice of media thanks to it being a full adaptation of the original novel following the events perfectly. Like the novel it follows the Narrator who is voiced by Richard Burton in the musical. Pretty much goes over all the same events but with amazing song created for this musical that tells the story of the novel and even features beyond the novel with the epilogue. Highly recommend giving it a listen. Link to Album - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvVInkWctBZsaTxK-lwtdeWa-jK_qwLoA --------------------------------------------------- The War of the Worlds (2005) And of course the film we've just watched directed by Steven Spielberg. This film is pretty much a modern re-imagining of the novel set in America covering events from the novel just through a differant lens. We follow new characters who go through some similar events highlighted in the novel like only two plot points/set pieces including the Red Weed from the novel. So if you do read the original novel or listen to the musical you'll notice a few parallels to the Steven Spielberg movie but only a tiny bit.

LittleGalaxyBoy

Love this remake! Tom Cruise still sends Dakota Fanning a birthday gift every year after this movie.

Ed Sharron

Nobody mentioned the Infamous 1938, “War of the Worlds” Radio Broadcast, that scared people, actually one of the first mp3s file that I downloaded when that format came out, Lol

Greggory Shaw

I agree that Robby appearing in Boston was a bit of a copout and unearned happy ending -- but it was an emotionally heartwarming conclusion. I believe the movie was going for a pseudo coming-of-age story for Robby's character, by constantly butting heads with his dad, taking his car without permission, and calling Ray out for his probable motivation to get to Boston to unload his unwanted parent responsibilities on his ex-wife. However, it wasn't developed adequately because Ray was the protagonist, and Robby disappeared in the 3rd act of the movie. The problem was that for the time Robby was in the movie, he repeatedly made terrible decisions that would've gotten his sister killed. Robby had the same stubbornly simplistic idea as the military's unseen commanders: Callously order the military grunts to engage in pointless Alamo last-stands and suicide charges, despite them knowing that none of their weapons could penetrate the alien Tripod's shields. Even worse, Robby's brilliant idea was to charge into battle alongside the soldiers, without any weapons or training. It was Ray's working-class knowledge, survival instincts, realist mistrust of other people, AND protagonist's plot armour and uncanny ingenuity, that saved the most lives. Who knows what Robby did to make it Boston? But he did, so he could hug his dad. 🙄

Rod Reavern

It wouldn't even take an EMP for American civilization to collapse overnight. Imagine if all entertaining DISTRACTIONS suddenly disappeared, people would have nothing to occupy their time than thinking about their lot in life. A revolution would kick off in no time! Consider the TiktTok ban: If kids collectively looked up from their smartphones for the first time in 5+ years and focused their rage in the right direction, that could do it. 😉

Rod Reavern

I thought it was literally the water and air that ended them.

Chris Thom

50's special effects were actually quite a bit better than I thought they would be.

Chris Thom

Spielberg is all about complicated relationships with the father. The Fabelmans kind of touches on why that is.

Chris Thom

True Romance premieres in 20 minutes

Chris Thom

I want more Cass and Carr, but I just have to wait. (Tear, literally this is why I have other Patreon channels.)

Uncle Phoenix

This film, the original 1953 film and the original novel by H.G. Wells, use Aliens as a metaphor for any invading force that upends your life and society. They make you think about what you are going to do in that situation and how are you going to survive. Other similar metaphors used in films and shows are… Zombies (World War Z/The Walking Dead) Viruses (28 Days Later/Last of Us) Natural Disasters (Deep Impact/Dante’s Peak) Apocalyptic Event (Mad Max/Interstellar) Even though it was heavily panned in this community, but IMO… Red Dawn (1984) accomplished this very well. Are you going to run and hide or surrender or Fight Back? Are you going to stay calm and keep your wits about you, or are you going to turn into a violent mob? These films make you think about what’s most important in your life, and, I believe, supposed to get you thinking and planning, if only in your mind… What are you going to do, to Protect what’s most important to you, when it or They are threatened? My favorite thing about War of the Worlds (2005) is not really the alien invasion, even though it was done masterfully… my favorite thing is Tom Cruise’s character and his relationship with his kids. That’s what keeps me coming back. Ray’s character in the beginning was not a great Dad. He seemed to have never really been much of a Parent. After the invasion, he takes his kids to their Mom’s and finds that She isn’t there. You see his fear and frustration when trying to make sandwiches, because he is realizing that He is the only one who can take care of his kids now, and that’s never been the case. Throughout his journey to Boston, and everything they encounter, Ray learns just how much he loves his kids and how far he would go to protect them. The scene in the basement, when he sings for his daughter, is one of the hardest moments to watch. He already feels like he failed to protect his son and now he can’t even sing his daughter’s favorite lullaby. He realizes in that moment, that he failed at being a Parent and Protector long before the alien invasion started. When he sings the only song that he can think of, that is the Father in Ray, fighting to come out. He knows in that moment, that there is nothing more important than his daughter, and he will fight to his last breath to protect her. Tom Cruise never got near enough credit for this role. It’s one of his Best. It’s one of my favorites.

Larry Darrell

It was like ET mixed with RAMBO; except at the end when ET uses his M60 to shoot Sheriff Teasel through the roof, ET gets the COVID, turns grey, and dies with his little three fingered hand falling limp on his machine gun.

Uncle Phoenix

In Tony Stark voice… “Not a Great Plan.”

Larry Darrell

Wow you guys were in a state of shock when that ended! Yeah it wasn't exactly ET or Close Encounters.

Scott Macaulay

I will love to see you and Carly's reaction to the film 2004 Man on Fire with Dakota Fanning and Denzel.

Oscar Ortega

Dang Cassie your anxiety was palpable. Robby showing up at the end always felt a little cheap but whatever, still a good movie. Great reaction from both of you! If you guys are needing more Tom Cruise and want to see him wielding a sword then I recommend you finally watch Legend.

My_Cousin_Mose

Cassie's tried and true Plan A in these and similar situations: dig a hole and bury yourself there.

Shawn Kildal

I am not sure but I think her plan is to go right from the TNG movies to the recent Chris Pine movies and then call it good. Personally, I'd like to see her also watch PICARD myself.

Stick Figure Studios

A sum of all her fears

Clay F

Both this and the 1953 version, are on my favorite movie list! I have seen this one, at least 5 times. Base on one of the best of the Sci-fi writers H G Wells' writings. I think you and Cassie showed exactly the emotions that Spielberg was going for. He is a master! My favorite seen is at the end when the two stars from the original 1953 movie, Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, appear as Rachel and Robbie's grandparents! Paying homage to the original.

Troy Silvester

Yeah Cas, this wasn't a great movie for me either! The original I thought was actually better!

Joseph M Sica

I was not expecting Cassie to be so terrified of this movie. Perhaps she has not come as far along as we all think. Still, a great reaction from both Popcorn ladies.

Mark Vaderr

Carly confirmed it herself in this video. I think she can handle Alien & Aliens

Walter Crockett

This was a remake of a novel, and other adaptations. But the style and vibe of the film was inspired by 9/11 just four years earlier and terrorism, and that's part of why so much of it looked and felt so bleak. Spielberg really flipped his usual 'friendly aliens teaching us to love' MO on it's head with this one. Super tense.

Chris Thom

Two Questions: First, can you watch some classic Jackie Chan? Project A, Meals on Wheels, Armor of Gods, etc. Second, are you going to start Star Trek DS9 or Voyager after you finish TNG?

LionBro

Only Spielberg can do this. Fear

Russell Teo

$178,000 to take out a $4.5 million tank. A win in my book

Blaze118

Viruses killed them.

Aj R

Good intense movie. Carly joining was a nice surprise. You ladies handled this movie pretty well. I think you two are ready to finish World War Z. Cassie certainly will be after watching Train to Busan. This movies does make you think what would you do if something like this happens? I'm not talking alien invasion. All it would take is the power gride going down. An EMP would do the trick.

Rick Williams

I had also never seen this. I agree, it seemed to have no hope toward the end. When Rachel started singing Hushabye Mountain, a song I have adored for a very long time since I first watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, it changed forever how I will listen to that song.

Tom Furze

E.M.P. wasn't that on a season of 24? Pretty sure it was. But I loved your reaction. 🥹I hate it when Cassie cries that makes me cry. Everytime dang it.

Zachary K. (Swiftie)

Yeah, their cameos have been mentioned several times in the comments already.

Stick Figure Studios

This is the first reaction in memory where Cassie said HELL instead of her usual H.E. Double Hockey sticks.

Brian McGovern

Benny50309

I didn't know about that clip from GREATEST SHOW being in this film. That is an iconic scene, for sure.

MikeLL

I just posted that as well. Need to go through all comments as I normally do to check that. The shot just appeared to be too arbitrary that it just had to be a nod to the original.

Brian McGovern

I don't know if anyone has pointed this out, but while watching this last night, I thought the image of the grandmother and grandfather seemed so arbitrary, that it just had to be a nod to the original movie. Sure enough, those actors were in the original movie and I would bet they were the 2 mains as well. I just checked on IMDB.

Brian McGovern

It actually appeared to be the opposite this time. Cassie was more affected than Carly I think because children are involved. I think she empathises with the characters and thinks about her children in that position. I would expect that to traumatise a person and clearly she was based on her Instagram reel.

Brian McGovern

Well you'll be happy to know that Starship Troopers appears to have won the Sweet 16 poll. Top 4 in that will be watched it seems.

Brian McGovern

This was a serviceable modern adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel The War of the Worlds… but lacked the Spielberg magic. It’s inexplicable because Spielberg directed and Cruise starred in Minority Report only 3 years earlier, which also involved sci-fi, action, light horror, and family tragedy as its emotional core. I can’t explain why Minority Report was much more enjoyable than TWotW. As for what the invading aliens wanted with Earth… the movie is faithful to the novel in depicting the aliens were trying to terraform Earth using human blood to fertilize their creepy red weeds, which is supposedly their food. However, their “heat ray” weapon that vapourizes humans into ash seems counter-productive to that goal. It seemed like the Tripods used the heat rays to cull masses of people down to manageable numbers, then they captured the survivors and “juiced” them. There was no explicit explanation for the aliens’ master plan, just speculation that they buried the Tripods deep underground long before human civilization existed, and for whatever reason they returned in the present day to harvest Earth’s living creatures. The audience is expected to suspend your disbelief, and we probably cannot use human logic to interpret invading aliens’ malicious intent… regardless, it doesn’t make sense why aliens would choose to use Tripods that were buried underground thousands/millions of years ago rather than their present technology. Did the alien civilization stagnate this entire time and now they’re only surviving by conquering populated worlds that they scouted countless millennia ago? Who knows? TBH I think it was simply “the Rule of Cool”, which Spielberg prioritizes over realism. It was very cinematic to depict the aliens’ low-profile invasion starting with an apparent lightning storm, followed by an apparent earthquake, and suddenly the Tripods emerged from the earth and started massacring entire cities. It also doesn’t make sense that an advanced spacefaring alien civilization, which presumably had conquered and terraformed countless planets already, failed to anticipate the problem of their vulnerability to Earth’s native pathogens. It was a clever and miraculous plot twist for a 20th century sci-fi novel, but doesn’t hold up today. Regardless, this was a wonderfully entertaining reaction by Cassie and Carly. I hope they do reactions for other sci-fi alien-themed classics, like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Total Recall, and Starship Troopers!

Rod Reavern

Yes please watch Oblivion, it's not scary and has a love story, so right up your street!

Odd Thomas

I expected Cassie to have a hard time with WOTW but then I realised Carly was there too and that made me lol because I knew she'd be even more scared (but in a weirdly entertaining way)

Odd Thomas

One final Easter egg for thos interested: when Rachel is flipping through the channels on Ray's TV, for a split second you can see the train crash from Cecil B. Demille's THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH, a very significant film in Spielberg's childhood (as anybody who has seen THE FABELMANS knows). It's not unlike when Spielberg showed that scene from John Ford's THE QUIET MAN on the TV in E.T. or put Demille's THE TEN COMMANDMENTS on the TV in the background of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.

Stick Figure Studios

The whole movie Cass keeps asking, “Why do they freeze?”; and I’m just sitting here asking myself, “Why do girls always scream?”

Uncle Phoenix

I'm surprised, given how good you two have become at identifying actors these days, that you didn't recognize Miranda Otto (Eowyn from Lord of the Rings) as the mother!

Richard Rolen

Close Encounters of a Third Kind...staring a young Mr. Holland's Opus next ??? Carly must only have a thing about blood, she was fine with people getting vaporized minus that last scene, Lol Thanks for the great reaction, especially since it was a lot better the second time watching it, I wasn't expecting it to freak me out a little bit, suspense all the way!

Greggory Shaw

The two in-law grandparents at the very end of the movie, Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, were the two stars of the 1953 version of "The War of the Worlds".

Bammer

For example, Henry Thomas in E.T. The Extraterrestrial

Dan M

Did you catch the Easter egg in the Steven Spielberg adaptation?

Doc Larry

"Close Encounters OF The Third Kind", "Duel" and "Empire Of The Sun" .... Love those!

Jens Kristensen

Just to recap now (as I did after you watched "Lincoln") these are the films directed by Steven Spielberg that you have watched for the channel. Jaws Raiders of the Lost Ark E.T. Indiana Jones & Temple of Doom Indiana Jones & Last Crusade Jurassic Park Schindler's List The Lost World Saving Private Ryan Minority Report War of the Worlds War Horse Indiana Jones & Kingdom of Crystal Skull Lincoln Here are the ones you still need to see* Duel The Sugarland Express Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1941 The Color Purple Empire of the Sun Always Amistad Munich A.I. Bridge of Spies The Adventures of TinTin The BFG Ready Player One The Fabelmans In other words, if you're interested in being a Steven Spielberg "completist," you're more than halfway through his filmography. :-) *Excluding "Catch Me If You Can," "The Terminal," "Hook," "The Post" and "West Side Story" which I understand You've already watched outside of the channel.

Stick Figure Studios

I love this movie, I think I've seen it about five times but I don't watch it too often so the spectacle of it all usually still feels new in rewatching. It's a movie that has imagery which gives pure terror but doesn't overstay it's welcome, so the shots you remember which leave an impression on you don't last long enough to analyze and memorize. Really cools shots all throughout. One of the last Speiberg movies I really liked, among Bridge of Spies, Lincoln and War Horse, although there some more recent ones I haven't yet seen or had the interest yet to watch. I love this movie, but boy oh boy do I hate Robbie. You can visit the destroyed house and plane set maybe still on the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tour. I did in about 2007ish. Was pretty cool. Also, big shout out to the soldier character who saved Tom when he got grabbed inside the cage and inspired everyone to grab him. I just realized I never really appreciated how brave that move was till now.

YodatheHobbit

The story was written by H.G.Wells more than 120 years ago,it's still relevant today,I agree Dakota Fanning was amazing,Spielberg has a way of getting great performances out of child actors.⭐⭐⭐⭐

Celeste McAllister

Just started the reaction and I appreciated the shout out to NC State in the intro. My team of course, and I remember I told Cassie when she was pulling a movie for NC State to pick a good one, and she did. Saying as a fan during a magical year, Cassie's March Movie Madness was a grand success! Thanks for the excitement! And because nobody asked, I'll tell you it was a fantastic experience to be a fan of an unheralded team that unexpectedly advances to the Final Four. They've lost four of their top players from eligibility and going pro, but have four experienced 4 star players coming in for next year and a 4 star freshman. Can't wait for next season to start, so now on to the reaction!

MikeLL

That is the perfect synopsis of why the aliens died at the end, despite their advanced technology. Well done!

Dan M

The movie you thought you were going to watch with Tom Cruise in white is "Oblivion" another great sci-fi movie of his.

Bxpolo

This was a great reaction! The aliens caught a simple cold, or influenza, or any of the millions of bacterial inflections humans spent generations developing antibodies against. After thousands of years of evolving amongst Earth’s tiniest killers, we’ve earned the right to be here - the aliens certainly did not. I always found that concept comforting. I read this book as child after my 6th grade science teacher (forgot her name) played the 1938 radio drama that apparently frightened many that heard it into thinking it was happening real time. I think maybe we could have prepared you more without spoiling it, but it was good! Thank you, NC State!

Ike

I’ve talked about having Cathartic experiences while watching films before… this one freaked me out when I first saw it. The family reminded me of mine so much. The relationship between the parents was my Mom and Dad. They were cordial, but annoyed each other. My Dad always hoped he’d get back together her, but She had moved on. My Dad worked nights so he would come in and sleep all day with blankets tacked up to black out the windows. My older brother, by 6 years, went to my Dad’s every other weekend, and still shared a room. My Dad had been the coach of my Church baseball league, a couple years, so playing catch with us was a regular occurrence. My brother was the trouble maker and always had an attitude. We hung out all day by ourselves while Dad slept. My Brother was known to borrow the car sometimes. When IT happens, I totally identified with Dakota Fanning’s character. I wasn’t exactly like her, but everything else made me feel like her. I felt like I was watching an alternate reality, and this is what would happen if Aliens attacked. Tom Cruise’s portrayal of the Father… I know is how my Father would have been. He would have been Lost, and his only plan would be to get my Brother and I back to my Mom. He would have done anything to accomplish it. The Supply Box contents were exactly all you would have gotten from my Dad’s house. I think this was the first Action/SciFi film that I cried almost all the way through. Again, it Freaked me out. Can’t wait to watch Tonight.

Larry Darrell

I remember reading the book by H.G. Wells waaaaay back when I was a kid. Remember, he wrote the book in like the 1890's, so quite the visionary of things that freak everyone out. I loooooved the jump scare for you two girls where the blanket flew along with your arms, hair, etc. Classic PiB moment!

Roger Hagerty

Cassie is right, any extraterrestrials sufficiently advanced to reach our planet, would probably defeat us without trouble. They likely wouldn’t even have to land on the planet. Of course, any extraterrestrial invasion is unlikely. In fact, according to many proposed solutions to the Fermi Paradox (The Hart-Tipler Conjecture, etc.) it is likely we will never have any contact with advanced aliens. But it much more enjoyable when sci-fi films make a decent effort to propose plausible invasion scenarios. Unfortunately, this film tried a bit too hard to shoehorn in features of the original H.G. Wells novel like the tripods. But at least Wells had the tripods landing here with their pilots. Pretty preposterous to have them buried here long ago. Seems just a cool way to reveal them and not at all a plausible invasion tactic. Unless parking is a big problem on your planet and you don’t want to invade for a couple million years. 😊

Steve Holton

"What is the capital of Australia?" The answer is Canberra, it's a bit trick as it most people outside of Australia assume Melbourne or Sydney, as they have the biggest populations of Australia's cities, and have had the largest populations pretty much since English settlement. Due to the populations of both of those cities, Canberra was selected as the site for the capital to be placed between them. While I am talking about Australia, Miranda Otto, the estranged wife in this movie and "Eowyn" in Lord of the Rings, is Australian.

Mojo One Thousand

Anyone else think that, if aliens exist and they come here, they won't be friendly and they'll be looking to take all our resources and enslave, eat or exterminate us? Because that's pretty much where I've settled on this. Anything better than that would be a huge surprise.

Above Average Dave

you are evil 🤣

Alex Gorell

Tim Robbins is also in "Top Gun" with Tom Cruise. He plays "Merlin", the RIO that replaced "Goose" for the final flight scenes of the movie.

Mojo One Thousand

It's a contender for sure, I was sitting there thinking if it was bigger than the croc in "Crocodile Dundee", Cassie almost did a back flip for that one.

Mojo One Thousand

Whenever I see Tim Robbins, I think of Andy Dufresne, who crawled through a river of s*** and came out clean on the other side.

Eddie Perkins

If you love happy endings, you should watch Stephen King's The Mist (2007). It's another good Sci-fi. I was surprised Carly handled this so well; by the time Halloween gets here, you two will be ready for The Exorcist 🤷 right?

Eddie Perkins

I notice nobody seems to have mentioned that Tim Robbins was in the movie was also in Top Gun with Tom. Tim played Merlin who was I think Cougar's co-pilot then became Tom's co-pilot at the end. I think they referred to him as wingman, but I think wingman is more the person in the other plane so Maverick was Icemans wingman at the end. The "key" they mention at the end of the movie was the Javelin which was like that big RPG they fired at the tripod a few times to bring it down. I think the red weed was also the aliens attempt of terraforming the earth to their conditions. I was also very surprised by the reaction although I guess I should not have been. Cassie had more difficulty with this than Carly, I guess it was due to there being children in mortal danger. We all know there are at least 2 contenders for nest tears poppies. Crocodile Dundee and this movie

Brian McGovern

Hey! You've quickly become my favorite reaction channel... openly emotional, great movie choices. I would gladly pay a ton of money to watch "Man On Fire" with you. It has Dakota Fanning again and she is amazing, plus Denzel as the star. IMO it's like a better version of "John Wick". That would make my year. Anyway, great reaction!

Kit Taylor

Its like not recognizing the voice of James Earl Jones. Shame on you 😁

Dan M

Cassie and Carly watching War of the Worlds together…the “Oh-My-Gosh-O-Meter” must have been running in overdrive for this reaction! I remember seeing this movie in the theatre when it first came out. For the 20 minutes or so after the big reveal in the beginning, my wife was squeezing the life out of my one hand while my other hand had a kung fu grip on the arm rest of the theatre chair. A really intense movie! I don’t think of this movie as a remake of the 1953 original, but a gripping adaptation of the source material by H G Wells, a la Steven Spielberg. I imagine Mr Spielberg woke up one day before he made this movie and thought, “What would the complete opposite of E.T. The Extraterrestrial look like?” And here you have it. Can’t wait to watch along over the weekend. May the 4th be with you!!

Dan M

You have to watch the original. There was a major Easter egg in this version. That’s all I’ll say.

Doc Larry

Ashamed to admit it, but the first time I saw it I didn’t realize that Morgan Freeman was the narrator…what kind of movie fan doesn’t recognize the voice of MF? Lol; guess we could call this a “spiritual” Shawshank reunion of sorts

JL_83

You mentioned that you thought it was in the future and had a lot of white.. You're probably thinking of Oblivion. That's a really good movie and I think you'd really like it.

Johnny

It is a pretty big cheat, but Cassie certainly seemed happy with it. :-)

Stick Figure Studios

Or maybe just watch THE HUSTLER. ;-)

Stick Figure Studios

Spielberg was one of the few American directors to deal pretty directly with 9/11 in the films he made immediately afterwards. MINORITY REPORT, MUNICH, THE TERMINAL and this are all clearly responses to that event.

Stick Figure Studios

That broadcast is brilliant.

Stick Figure Studios

"Why is this guy scaring me?" Did you notice that guy they hung out with for a while (farmhouse?) is Tim Robbins (Andy in The Shawshank Redemption, Nuke in Bull Durham)? As noted in comment above, the actress who is the ex-wife is also Eowyn in Lord of the Rings. Dakota Fanning = incredible kid actor. Tom Cruise shows once again how good of an actor he is. Robbie -- the teen w/the chip on his shoulder. I did like how he rushed to help people climbing onto the ferry. Yet, running w/the military to attack was a little much. Cassie: "What is his deal?" Carly: "He wants to fight back." Then, surprise. "How?" Yeah, Robbie making it back alive is a reach. Your reaction made me enjoy the movie even more. The charismatic duo. I like how the camera view was relatively close to y'all. Can see you better. I like your t-shirt. I am open to some of her music. Like her as a person.

Clay F

Although WAR OF THR WORLDS got middling to negative reviews when it was released, I always thought it was teriffic. For me, it was a good reminder (as if I needed one) that Steven Spielberg can still scare the crap out of us like he did with DUEL, JAWS, POLTERGEIST and JURASSIC PARK. Indeed, when I heard Carly was coming along for this reaction, I knew it was going to be a tough one on her as Steven once again employs his full filmmaking prowess to tap into our deepest, most primal fears and put them up on the screen for us to both marvel and scream at. This movie has some of the most simultaneously spectacular and chilling imagery of his career (much of it inspired by the harrowing events of September 11th which had only occurred a few years prior; Spielberg made 4 films that basically deal with 9/11: MINORITY REPORT, MUNICH, THE TERMINAL and this one). It also deals with another recurring theme in the director's filmography and that's familial dysfunction (and in particular absentee fathers) which originates from his own painful childhood and the divorce of his parents (for more on that, check out his autobiographical movie THE FABELMANS). Tom Cruise gives a very vulnerable performance as a man who clearly failed as a dad and manages to find some redemption trying to protect his kids as the world is collapsing all around them... even going so far as to bravely throw himself into what is almost certain death to save his daughter in that fantastic climactic scene. Dakota Fanning is also amazing and proves once again here why she was THE child actor of the early 2000s. Anyway, I'm glad you got a chance to see this even if it was an intense experience (I was a little surprised neither of you recognized Miranda Otto -- a.k.a. Eowyn from LORD OF THE RINGS -- as the pregnant mom, but no worries). Now, having seen this and E.T., you both need to complete Spielberg's unofficial "alien trilogy" with 1977's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, a very different "first contact" film -- arguably the best of the three -- that I'm sure you will both enjoy much more. Great reaction as always, ladies. Keep up the good work. :-)

Stick Figure Studios

Also JURASSIC PARK has a lot of horror elements.

Stick Figure Studios

I love that.

Stick Figure Studios

I never thought about that before, but you're right. That's kinda cool.

Stick Figure Studios

Orson Wells who did the radio broadcast for War Of The Worlds (1938) went onto star in many films including 12+1 or 13 chairs with Sharon Tate which would have been her last movie. This movie however takes your breath away. I thought it was fabulous acted by Tom Cruise and the little girl from I am Sam (2001) Dakota Fanning who went onto play in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

Zachary K. (Swiftie)

You should definitely check out the radio broadcast 1938 and the panic it caused.

Oscar Ortega

This movie was very much a response to September 11th in the way the original movie was a response to Cold War paranoia. The imagery is so shocking and sometimes reminiscent of those events.

Alex Villarreal

I think in every way it's better than Independence Day

Kevin Charley

Always been amused that Tim Robbins (Andy Dufresne) and Morgan Freeman (Red) are part of this movie.

Alex Villarreal

Massive solar flares like the Carrington event would send society back to the 19th century. And mob mentality is scarier then any horror movie around.

Mike Jenson

The grandparents at the end are played by Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, the two leads from the 1953 War of the Worlds.

Brad P

Blood truffle planet. Sorry I was just thinking about that question, what did they plan for this planet? It looked like their plan was to murder enough of us to subdue us, and then use the rest of us a fertilizer for some fungus. So, blood truffle planet. So it was microbes that saved the world, well that's what they get for not doing a better recon. Honestly I do enjoy this movie and notice something new every time I watch it, but I am a big horror fan and Spielberg is a master at weaving so many horror elements into his sci Fi movies. He's said he wished he'd made more horror movies but he didn't want to get pigeonholed in that genre, but he's so great at it, directing Jaws for one, and Poltergeist was his story too.

Joe D. MacGuffinstuff

"it was really good but I'll never watch it again" 🤣🤣

John Sullivan

Pro tip : Never get your information from Twitter (X), Tik Tok, or Wikipedia. Always go to legitimate sources of information. I know you already know this, but it can only help your sate of mind,

Damien beatty

“I think I’d just call it.” Perfect!

Philip Alan

I know, right? As soon as I heard she was joining Cassie for this one I thought this is going to be a very intense viewing experience for her.

Stick Figure Studios

The PBS American Experience documentary on the 1938 radio broadcast by Orson Wells (then age 23) is stunning. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/worlds/

Clay F

Very good and underrated Steven Spielberg/Tom Cruise movie. I really wish you had seen the 1950's George Pal version prior to this, oh well.

Mark Vaderr

And those were the most annoying kids I’ve ever seen in a movie. I guess that means they did a good job.. but in real life, they would’ve got the belt.

Shehab Dawoud

Not one of my favorite Cruise films but definitely better than what some people make it out to be. That one scene in Tim Robbin’s basement, with the thing stalking them.. gives me chills every time. Great homage to The Shining and obviously Spielberg’s own Jurassic Park. The remaining Cruise films I really want to see a reaction to: 1. Collateral 2. Magnolia 3. The Color of Money. Not important to me if you watch The Hustler first

Shehab Dawoud

Well, I guess that the jump scare of the year contest is over. Thank you ladies.

Bill Hayden

Cassie, this film isn’t really a remake of the 1953 version. It’s more of a new adaptation of the classic science fiction novel by H.G. Wells. Along with Jules Verne, Wells was responsible for writing most of the best, early science fiction. Wells wrote “The Time Machine”, “The Island of Dr. Moreau” and “The Invisible Man”, as well as other classics of the genre. I’m more of a Jules Verne fan than a Wells fan, personally, but both authors are absolute icons of science fiction. Probably the most notorious adaptation of this particular story was Orson Welles’ 1938 radio broadcast. The first part of the broadcast plays out as a newscast, leading some listeners to believe the events in the broadcast were real. For years, the urban legend was that the broadcast led to a spate of suicides among those that didn’t realize it was a dramatization (despite a warning at the outset of the broadcast that the events being depicted were fictitious). The urban legend has since been debunked. Although there were listeners that were upset by the broadcast (presumably they tuned in after the warning that the broadcast was fictitious), there weren’t any confirmed suicides. PS: Ray’s ex-wife is played by Miranda Otto, who also played Eowyn in “The Lord of the Rings.”

Just Plain Bob

Woah. Carly was watching as well? My interest has peaked even higher now.

Brian McGovern

I agree. I've never agreed with the consensus on this film.

Stick Figure Studios

Yeah, OBLIVION is a good flick.

Stick Figure Studios

I've been pushing CLOSE ENCOUNTERS for a long time. I decided that if I ever win a Trivia night, it would be one of my five picks.

Stick Figure Studios

I think you were thinking of Oblivion. As for your rain barrels, be careful with rainwater from any asphalt shingles as chemicals can leach out of the petroleum base and make the water unusable for drinking or watering food gardens. I can go full prepper if I allow myself but I always like being prepared.

Nathan Swapp

Orson Wells' radio program, War of the Worlds - scared the hell out of 1938 Americans. Many didn't realize it was a radio program and actually gathered their families and tried to flee the fictious, well-acted program.

John Liebling

Cassie you and Carly would enjoy Close Encounters of a Third Kind...staring a young Mr. Holland's Opus...Richard Dreyfus.

John Liebling

Saw this in theatres with my dad when it first came out. I loved the majority of it. My only issue: The ending. It almost ruined the entire movie for me.

Zane From Canada

Cassie, from your description, I think you’re talking about the movie Oblivion … which I think you would like.

Ian Forbes

It a lot of ways I think this is better than Independence Day. Seems more realistic on what might happen in an alien invasion

William Bryan

"Ortiz fights it off centerfield. Damon running to the plate, and he can keep on running to New York. Game six tomorrow night." Cassie I know you don't follow baseball but look up the 2004 ALCS. You'll see why the Red Sox/Yankees cap scene is significant in this movie, epecially since the movie came out the following summer

William Bryan

I’m looking forward to what shook you! Stay strong Cassie 💪

Wes

One of his better movies that kinda get lost in the shuffle

Bill Maurer