Independence Day v War of the Worlds

T

TLC FO LIFE: RIP LEFTEYE

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Right then!

Over the last couple of days me and my O/H have just watched Independence Day and War of the WorlRAB (Tom C version).

I said that WotW is basically the same as ID, (aliens attacking the earth, etc, etc) - but not as good. I said that ID is a faster paced, better plotted film (I know the plots on the back of a postage stamp, but still...) some humour in it, but basically an all-round decent B-movie type film.

She poo-ppoed that (actually she said something else but I can't write it here). She thinks WotW's is better all-round basically. I think its just a bigger version of ID, but nowhere near as good. I also said that Spielberg lost the plot with WotW's because he couldn't make his mind up if it was a horror film or a sci-fi film. I also said that Tom Cruise spoils it, (because he's just always Tom Cruise!) and the fur really flew then!

Who's right? Or should we both just get a life? :rolleyes:
 
Im not too sure which one I'd go for. ID was good, but WotW was original for the fact that Tom Cruise as the central character wasn't needed to save the world. In fact when you think about it, a movie where the key to the demise of the aliens has nothing to do with war machines or rocket launchers is quite quite brave of Spielberg and the idea behind it quite innovative of the novel writer.
Totally agree with you on Tom Cruise. Decent actor but I would've preferred a lesser known but equally decent actor who I might've believed more in as the character.
So overall, ID a more satisfactory movie with loaRAB of wit as you say and WotW makes you think more about the vulnerability of humans.
 
Not to go into details but speaking of each movie as to how entertaining they were. I'd say it was Independence Day that is the clear winner between the two (but only just). They are both big budget cheese balls of flicks. But ID wins by a margin. Plus it doesn't have that really annoying actress Dakota Fanning in it. I'd rather watch two Tom Cruise movies back to back - than one with Dakota Fanning. :cool:
 
For a variety of reasons, I have an equal amount of hatred for both.

A more worthless pairing I cannot imagine.
 
Their stories are very similar but theya re VERY different movies. I bought WOTW on DVD recently and in the documentaries, they even say that they intentionally made a different kidn of movie. ID4 is an action packed blockbuster-here-saves-the-day type movie. :)

WOTW follows one family's story in a big situation. Kind of like The Day After Tomorrow, which is why I love that movie! So yes they deal with the same situation but done very differently and make them equally enjoyable! I {heart} both! :D
 
Very true. I'd like to see more big movies where the lead is a character who we don't already know (but is a good actor). I always feel that doing this brings a lot more 'believeability' to the film.

I was partly disappointed with WotW because of the "happy ending" - all things considered. Whereas all through the film the realism had been relentless. ID seems to know what it is and doesn't pretend to be or want to be anything else. I don't think WotW quite knows what it is yet. (But on a point of fairness, perhaps its creating a new genre.)
 
Got to agree with you on this one - we're starting to avoid films precisely beause of who is the lead. Cruise is ok (His early film with Rebecca De Mornay is one of my favourites) but the big stars are taking over the film - i.e. its not a film about Aliens, or the character, etc, its a film about Tom Cruise (or whoever).
 
We loved DAT. But I think we liked it because it wasn't full of mega-big stars, and the story was allowed to outshine the characters.
 
Both have terrible scripts and are absurd, but ID4 wins by a mile cos it KNOWS it's absurd. You can laugh with it... the "we will not go quietly into the night" Bill Pullman speech is one of the funniest things in modern cinema, and Randy Quaid is hysterical....

As for WOTW... it's no fun at all, miserable, makes no sense and terrible characters. Don't know how Spielberg put his name to that script, it's a real shocker.
 
The focussing on an alien invasion from the point of view of somebody who was not involved at all in saving the world was done as recently as Signs, and probably countless times before that.

I definitely prefer Independance Day, because as has already been said they are both incredibly camp films but ID4 recognises its own campiness and plays it up. :)
 
Independence Day. It's exciting, entertaining and just a laugh.

WotW. Turgid, boring, long-winded, not funny, and I just wanted everyone to die. Horribly.
 
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