Prime Video’s latest take on War of the Worlds has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The new sci-fi thriller, starring Ice Cube as a Homeland Security surveillance expert, has debuted with a rare and embarrassing 0% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes—joining the ranks of the most poorly reviewed films in history. Based on H.G. Wells’ iconic alien invasion novel, the film reimagines the story as a “screenlife” thriller, where all action unfolds through computer and phone screens.
In the movie, Ice Cube’s character, Will Radford, is tracking down a mysterious hacker known as the Disruptor when a meteor shower abruptly signals an alien invasion. What follows is a series of chaotic events shown entirely through digital devices, a stylistic choice that critics say falls flat. Variety called the project “a feature-length commercial for all things Amazon,” mocking the irony of a tech-driven dystopia being produced by the tech giant itself.
Other reviews were just as brutal. ScreenAnarchy described the movie as “hilariously bad, until it becomes risibly ridiculous,” while Cinemalogue criticized its failure to build suspense and labeled the film a misguided gimmick. Rather than offering thrilling sci-fi or gripping commentary, the movie has become a prime example of how not to modernize a classic.
The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes hasn’t been much kinder, sitting at a dismal 12%. Viewer comments range from disbelief to mockery, with one saying, “I honestly believe an elementary school classroom full of kids shooting on an iPhone could do a better job.” Another quipped, “It felt like a pre-show for a theme park ride,” while others slammed the film as a waste of time and money.
With its 0% rating, War of the Worlds now joins a cringe-worthy list of fewer than 50 films that share the same fate on Rotten Tomatoes—including infamous titles like Police Academy 4 and Highlander 2. While the movie is currently streaming on Prime Video, those looking to avoid disappointment might want to browse other options on the platform instead.
Source: gamesradar.com
Image: independent.co.uk
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