> I think the first two-thirds of the movie is utterly riveting, Spielberg
> delivering some very scary sequences while also delving head on into the
> paranoia of post-9/11 America. It’s only in the last third that things
> trip up a bit.

> It’s a pity that the Cruise and Spielberg relationship broke down. They
> were great together.

True. I was just thinking the other day about how many great directors Cruise has worked with in his career, and even within that group his 2 films with Spielberg still stand out.

> I wonder if the film not being locked down and having a ton of unfinished
> effects - both rather new things for the composer - threw off his working
> process a bit.

I sort of assumed it was just another situation of Williams being very busy during this year/period.

> It’s better than Always for me. And maybe 1941 which I
> haven’t heard in over 15 years. But otherwise I agree.

I think both of those still have highlights that lead me to rank them higher, especially the march from 1941.