tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009870.post112150355044262394..comments2023-10-15T10:46:08.280-05:00Comments on Unnecessary Thrills: Movie Reviews, By RequestAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06789206585068954575noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009870.post-1121511921788544472005-07-16T06:05:00.000-05:002005-07-16T06:05:00.000-05:00Thanks Salvius! I immediately thought of the scene...Thanks Salvius! I immediately thought of the scene with the mechanic who changed the solenoids at Ray's instigation, which allowed Ray and his family to escape and then prevaricated too long about joining them in the car, assuming that Ray wanted to steal it, a hesitation that cost him his life. I agree that the choice of perspective was fortuitous, as it conveyed a sense of human helplessness perhaps better than in the Byron Haskin/George Pal version with the nuclear bombs (symbolising the ultimate in destructive power) failing to penetrate the shields. It certainly put the panic and confusion across effectively. Part of the pleasure of sci-fi/disaster movies for me are the battle scenes, so I was slightly disappointed that we did not have a chance to see more, especially now that the effects technology exists that can do justice to large-scale battle scenes (Lord of the Rings being the most magnificent example so far in my book). Ironically, the 1953 version did win the Oscar for best effects. The point about the choking clouds of dust in the aftermath of the Twin Towers calamity was well-observed. I also concur on the subject of the buried tripods - it would have been far neater had the lightning strikes been part of the assembly process. I also agree that the seemingly endless crop of re-adaptations is slightly worrying - perhaps it has something to do with risk-averse investors (tried and tested formula guaranteed to attract an audience) in a takings-oriented environment rather than a genuine lack of inspiration/creative imagination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com