The script for War of the Worlds is very flawed with plot holes to drive a truck through and a serious problem with character motivation. If anyone else had directed this movie, it would have sucked big time. However, beginning with Minority Report, Speilberg has regained his place amoung the great movie directors that he started with his great movie of the seventies/Raiders of the Lost Ark and he hit War of the Worlds out of the park. His direction and the acting by Cruise and Fanning made me believe in and care for these people and these situations.