When I heard about this version of War of the Worlds over a year ago, I was excited. I love the book and I love the Jeff Wayne musical. Not much of a fan of the George Pal version primarily because it did away with the tripod walking machines. Even though I'd read miserable reviews, I figured it couldn't be THAT bad.
So, when I heard that this DVD was completed and released, I checked Wal-Mart on a tip from another post. No dice. Best Buy, Circuit City and Target yielded equally fruitless searches. I found it in the DVD racks of CVS pharmacy of all places! I took it home and watched it.
Now, I'm a grizzled watcher of bad movies. I saw Manos: The Hands of Fate before MST3K made it watchable. I saw Food of the Gods and Empire of the Ants when they were released on a double feature at the drive-in. I bore witness to The Swarm on it's initial run. I actually OWN a copy of The Giant Spider Invasion.
I was ready for anything. I can take it, I thought.
About twenty minutes into War of the Worlds I got the same feeling a hulking drunken brute gets when he picks a fight with a small-framed karate expert at a bar. I brought it on and I was in big trouble. I was waaaayyyy out of my league. It was as if the Gods of Film had smote me for the sin of pride.
That said, I will cherish this film for the rest of my days. It taught me a lesson in humility. My arrogant friends who thought the way I did will be made to watch this. Mandatory.
Thanks to everyone involved in the creation of this twisted, laughable, ludicrous and horrifying debacle. You knocked me down a couple pegs.
And for that, it gets a 9.
I'll never be the same.
So, when I heard that this DVD was completed and released, I checked Wal-Mart on a tip from another post. No dice. Best Buy, Circuit City and Target yielded equally fruitless searches. I found it in the DVD racks of CVS pharmacy of all places! I took it home and watched it.
Now, I'm a grizzled watcher of bad movies. I saw Manos: The Hands of Fate before MST3K made it watchable. I saw Food of the Gods and Empire of the Ants when they were released on a double feature at the drive-in. I bore witness to The Swarm on it's initial run. I actually OWN a copy of The Giant Spider Invasion.
I was ready for anything. I can take it, I thought.
About twenty minutes into War of the Worlds I got the same feeling a hulking drunken brute gets when he picks a fight with a small-framed karate expert at a bar. I brought it on and I was in big trouble. I was waaaayyyy out of my league. It was as if the Gods of Film had smote me for the sin of pride.
That said, I will cherish this film for the rest of my days. It taught me a lesson in humility. My arrogant friends who thought the way I did will be made to watch this. Mandatory.
Thanks to everyone involved in the creation of this twisted, laughable, ludicrous and horrifying debacle. You knocked me down a couple pegs.
And for that, it gets a 9.
I'll never be the same.