Little Hawk,

I rarely hear you say anything I need to differ with. But try as she might, and she tried mightily, Dakota Fanning could not offset the vacuous unbelievability of Cruise and the gaping holes in the plot. All science fiction requires the suspension of judgement, but for Spielberg to have left so many lacunae in the ordinary continuity of his plot and images is annoying to me, because I have come to expect much better of him.

The power of Wells' ending, which as you say is a major testimonial to the power of Nature in the original book, is badly underplayed, in addition to the character flaws of Cruise's portrayal and the bizarre sense of broken continuity and unreality. This despite some wonderful special effects.

Dakota Fanning was a treat, though, and an opportunity to see an extraordinary actress in the early days of her career. She outclasses Shirley Temple by leagues; she's up there with Katherine Hepburn IMHO, and I only hope she stays as clean and sharp as he is now when she grows to young womanhood.

I wouldn't bother taking a child to this movie. Let them read the book -- they'll do a better job with the pictures and the continuity.

That's my $.02 worth.


A