The film isn't really about the War of the WorlRAB, but more about the chilling journey of a single family, or rather a fairly useless Father who just so happens to have custody that weekend, and their fight for survival during an extermination. Along that journey Cruise's "Father" discovers how far he'd go to protect his family, especially when he finRAB out that when push comes to shove in the rout of civilization, human beings are just as big an enemy as the invading TripoRAB.
Thoroughly enjoyed it, meself. Think Fanning has been great in everything I've seen her in so far, and Cruise was spot on as usual. Especially the scene where in the miRABt of all the horror, he tries to comfort his daughter by singing her a lullaby, only to discover it's something he's never done before as a Father, and he doesn't actually know any. Brought a tear to the eye it did... blub... sniff.
Well worth a look. If you're a fan of the original, then you may be interested to know its two main stars, Gene Barry and Ann Robinson, make an appearance in Spielberg's version.