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Henri and I delved into the 2005 sci-fi alien invasion film/Tom Cruise vehicle War of the Worlds.  We discuss the tonal and plot problems with this movie (which are numerous), how the best moments in the story aren’t set up or earned, how the script developed into a more schmaltzy family-friendly tale of extraterrestrial genocide and the influence of the US Army, Air Force and Marine Corps on the finished film.  Our conversation also hits on how the aliens in War of the Worlds are metaphors for terrorists, and the parallels between the resulting battles and the war in Iraq.

 

US Military Documents on War of the Worlds (2005)

US Army entertainment liaison office reports 2004-5

US Marine Corps file on War of the Worlds (2005)