Abstract:
Tom Cruise's recent box office performance has been less than ideal. His much-anticipated new film "Digger" was expected to launch a new phase in his career, but it was far from a box-office hit. The film not only caused a lot of controversy, but also continued to be sluggish at the box office, setting Cruise's lowest opening box office in the past 20 years. Meanwhile, one of his often underrated films became a streaming hit. If you want to see it, you have to hurry up.
When people think of Tom Cruise's best movies, War of the Worlds isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind. This 2005 sci-fi action thriller, adapted from the 1898 novel by H.G. Wells, tells the story of a blue-collar father who protects his children and tries to reunite them with their mother after aliens invade Earth.
The film is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto and Tim Robbins alongside Cruise, and is narrated by Morgan Freeman. The film did well at the box office and was praised by critics, but fans at the time were not convinced. Over the years since then, fans have gradually changed their views. "War of the Worlds" recently ranked among the top 10 most-streamed movies in several countries.
But if you want to see it for yourself, you'll have to hurry: the film will be removed from HBO Max on November 1.
Although "War of the Worlds" is about an alien invasion, it can also be seen as an allegory about the "9.11" attacks, and this meaning runs throughout the film. The story begins from an ordinary day, but sudden events turn everything into a terrible thing, and it can never go back to the way it was before. In the film, before the aliens arrive, an electromagnetic pulse disables all technological equipment. As the story progresses, the similarities between the two become more and more obvious: people find that aliens have been lurking, waiting for the opportunity to launch an attack, which echoes people's anxiety about lurking terrorists; there are even characters in the film who directly ask whether what is happening in front of them is the work of terrorists. The film also contains many scenes reminiscent of 9/11, including scenes of everything covered in ash after an energy weapon attack.
These elements may not have been easily accepted in 2005. After all, it has only been four years since the tragedy of 9/11, and many images and feelings are still vivid in our minds. As time passes, people have a different perspective. More than two decades after the film's release, audiences have come to appreciate how this sci-fi story incorporates the fears and traumas people have experienced, ultimately telling a story about resilience.
Of course, much of the film depicts humanity's chaotic struggle for survival, but it's also a reminder that the will to survive can be a powerful force. Nowadays, audiences are also beginning to appreciate the visual effects of the film. That's no surprise: War of the Worlds was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The design of the alien tripod machines, and the sounds they make, are truly amazing.
Now we want to ask: With War of the Worlds gaining new recognition years after its release, will Digger do the same in the future?
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