20 Second Movie Reviews ™

War of the Worlds (2005)

This lackluster blockbuster from Stephen Spielberg and Tom Cruise revisits H.G. Wells' classic story of alien invasion, with predictable results. The special effects are generally well done and believable, and the acting is satisfactory, but the story is tired, familiar and uninspiring. The filmmakers should have spent more time working on the script and less on the bells and whistles.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Actors: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Miranda Otto, Tim Robbins
Recommended? No

Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge of the Sith (2005)

George Lucas finally brings his "A" game to the Star Wars prequels with the third and final installment of the series. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is seduced by the Dark Side of the Force to become the evil lord Darth Vader. Great action and some very touching scenes combine to make this film a memorable and satisfying conclusion to this beloved story.

Director: George Lucas
Actors: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson
Recommended? Yes

Constantine (2005)

Keanu Reeves stars in this lukewarm mash-up of The Exorcist and The Matrix, based on the Hellblazer comic book. Reeves plays a PI of sorts who patrols L.A. looking for demons and half-breeds to vanquish. He gets caught up in a battle between (who else?) Good and Evil when the Son of Satan tries to come to Earth. Impressive visual effects and the always-likeable Reeves are sabotaged by a murky story that ventures too far into camp.

Director: Francis Lawrence
Actors: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Djimon Hounsou, Max Baker
Recommended? No