Ice Cube's 'War of the Worlds' Exceeds Expectations—It's Worse Than You Think

A New Take on a Classic Sci-Fi Story

The latest adaptation of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds has taken an unexpected turn, shifting the focus from traditional heroes to a modern-day savior: Amazon. While Ice Cube is the top-billed star in this version, he isn’t the central hero. In fact, none of the human characters take on the role of savior. Instead, it’s the global tech giant that becomes the key to repelling an alien invasion.

In one pivotal scene, a character who happens to be an Amazon deliveryman uses the company's drone service, Prime Air, to deliver a crucial item to Cube’s character, a hacker working for the Department of Homeland Security. The deliveryman even takes a moment to highlight that Prime Air is “the future of delivery.” This subtle product placement highlights how deeply embedded Amazon is in the narrative, even going as far as having the human resistance save the day by using a $1,000 Amazon gift card as a bribe.

This kind of integration feels more like a feature-length commercial than a movie, reminiscent of 2013’s The Internship, which featured Google in a similar way. That film was criticized for feeling more like a product promotion than a genuine cinematic experience. War of the Worlds seems to follow in those footsteps, with its entire premise centered around the idea that Amazon is the solution to every problem, from personal relationships to intergalactic threats.

A Film That Feels Like a Commercial

The film is currently available only on Amazon Prime Video, which adds another layer to its promotional nature. It’s not just about the story; it’s about the platform itself. The movie is shot in a screenlife format, where the entire story unfolds through computer screens and apps. This style has been used effectively in other films, but War of the Worlds fails to deliver anything close to that level of creativity or execution.

The story follows Will Radford, played by Ice Cube, who works at the Department of Homeland Security. He spends most of his time watching his children via webcam while ignoring his actual job responsibilities. His character is largely seen through a close-up of his face, with no real interaction with the environment around him. This lack of engagement makes the film feel disconnected and unconvincing.

As the aliens attack, Will must work with the head of DHS and a NASA scientist to stop the invasion. At the same time, he tries to protect his rebellious son and pregnant daughter. While the concept could have been compelling, the execution falls flat. The visuals are poorly done, with the tripods looking fake and unimpressive. Some scenes are so amateurish that they undermine the entire production.

Poor Performances and Unbelievable Dialogue

The performances in the film are equally disappointing. Ice Cube’s portrayal of Will Radford is inconsistent, with his reactions appearing random and disconnected from the story. One moment he might be devastated by a tragic event, and the next, he’s celebrating with a fist pump and a dramatic shout. This lack of emotional consistency makes it hard to connect with the character.

The dialogue is just as bad, especially for the President of the United States. The character delivers a speech during a Zoom call, declaring that the alien attack represents “a war of the worlds.” The phrase is repeated on a CNN chryon, adding to the film’s sense of being a marketing tool rather than a serious movie.

A Product of Its Time

It’s rumored that War of the Worlds was filmed during the height of the pandemic, which explains the remote setting. However, the film was released years later, highlighting its poor quality. The visual effects are subpar, the sound is unimpressive, and the overall experience feels like it was created solely to promote Amazon.

While the tripods may look futuristic with their laser weapons and robotic tentacles, they can’t match the power of Amazon’s delivery system. The film ends up being more about showcasing the company’s services than telling a compelling story. For viewers looking for a good sci-fi movie, this adaptation is likely to be a disappointment.