The Tomorrow When The War Began movie is based on the popular book of the same name by acclaimed Australian author, John Marsden. The book was very popular with the teen audience for which it was written, and if the previews of this about-to-be released movie are anything to go by, the movie should prove just as popular.
Australian screenwriter Stuart Beattie wrote the screenplay for the movie as well as directed it, and he has done a fabulous job of keeping true to the original story. His selection of the mostly Australian cast was superb; they suit the role of the characters from the book in a realistic way and he develops them well throughout the movie.
Even though the movie is geared to a teenage audience, most movie goers should enjoy this action adventure movie about seven teenagers who go camping for a week and return to find their homes abandoned, their families missing; their animals dead or dying; and no power or phone line connections. After some investigation they realise that their town has been invaded by an unknown enemy force.
Their story is told through the eyes of Ellie, one of the main characters of the book. They decide to go back to their camping area, an out of the way bushland area called Hell and stockpile supplies to take with them. They contemplate what the best way is to deal with what they’ve just discovered and decide to try to slow the enemy forces using their own guerrilla-style tactics.
As the movie unfolds you are given a glimpse into each of the characters’ personalities and how each has to change and grow as they do their best to cope with the huge burden that has been thrust upon them. There is a little bit of romance involved in the plot as well as self reflection on what they have had to do and become in order to survive and save their own lives as well as sabotaging the enemy force. Though the book was written to appeal to young adults, this action-adventure film should appeal to a wide audience of all ages.