Well, Spielberg does say the story was subliminally about the Holocaust; a subtext, not the main theme. I think Wells' original story had imperial colonization as a theme-invaders with superior technology after resources and nothing else. A common 'side effect' of imperialism is genocide.
Most of the directors get the original book or screen story situations, time period and authors metaphors WRONG. Sure they were kids when they saw it, but intellectually they stayed kids. Just shows that successful producers and directors in Hollywood, seldom actually READ.
Yeah but I felt like he doesn't explore deep enough to sci-fi thats why I don't call him much of a sci-fi guy. I'm not dissing him though, I'm just saying he needs to put in a lot more focus. Plus War of the Worlds is not good mate.