War of the Worlds is a cross between a big budget summer blockbuster and an independent film. It features a really big budget and a lot of star power like other summer blockbusters, but, like most independent films, it does not burden itself with the hassles of plot or character development and, instead, prefers to show endless scenes of people reacting to the horrors taking place directly behind the camera man. The movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, the brilliant filmmaker who has been working hard to attain the coveted mediocre filmmaker status, is yet another Hollywood exercise in the art of reducing man to his worst. The idea being that if you take away safety, food, and government protection then humanity automatically devolves into nothing but a collection of scavenging murdering thieves who act only in their own self interests. The film follows a single dad and his kids as they desperately flee an oncoming Alien attack in the nation’s sole operating mini van while dodging cartoonish portrayals of rioting crowds, gun toting crazies, and an inept US military. Towards the end of the story Spielberg even brings in Tim Robbins to help ensure that no sense of humanity, bravery, or self sacrifice might accidentally seep into the film. I did leave the theater with one note to self however: when executing an invasion of a hostile Alien environment after a million years of planning make sure you are current on your vaccinations before going outside without a biohazard suit.