A new sci-fi thriller released on Prime Video has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with viewers and critics alike dubbing it a contender for one of the worst films ever made. This particular adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel, titled “War of the Worlds” and starring acclaimed rapper Ice Cube, has struggled to find any favor with audiences since its recent debut on the streaming platform.
Despite Prime Video’s consistent track record of delivering successful new and returning titles this year, from high-octane action films like G20 and Heads of State to popular series such as We Were Liars, this latest science fiction offering stands out as a notable misstep. The sheer volume of negative feedback for this particular movie review has created significant buzz, though not the kind a studio hopes for.
The film, featuring Ice Cube in a pivotal role as a cyber-security analyst, attempts to modernize the timeless alien invasion narrative by adopting a “screenlife” format. This contemporary style, where the entire story unfolds across computer and smartphone screens, has been seen in other productions, yet “War of the Worlds” struggles to execute it effectively, leading to widespread disappointment among those seeking a compelling sci-fi thriller.
Many viewers have voiced their astonishment at the perceived lack of effort, with one frustrated subscriber stating, “Even [other screenlife films] have a certain charm and a certain level of effort behind them. This movie is the absolute laziest movie I’ve ever seen, and it’s so blatant about it.” This sentiment reflects a broader consensus among early watchers.
The scathing movie review extends beyond casual commentary, with even typically uncritical film enthusiasts struggling to find redeeming qualities. “A friend of mine, who likes just about everything, even new Marvel stuff, hated this movie,” another user remarked, highlighting the extraordinary depth of the film’s negative reception across diverse viewerships. This points to a truly remarkable cinematic experience for all the wrong reasons.
Further compounding the criticism, a review on Letterboxd, a popular film social networking site, declared the Ice Cube sci-fi thriller as “arguably one of the worse movies to be released/distributed by a major platform in the last 5 years.” Such strong pronouncements underscore the film’s controversial status within the streaming landscape.
As “War of the Worlds” continues to circulate on Prime Video, a pressing question remains: is it genuinely so bad that it transcends typical negative criticism, or is it simply an unwatchable addition to the War of the Worlds legacy? Only the bravest viewers willing to endure its full runtime will truly be able to determine its ultimate fate in the annals of cinema, offering a unique opportunity for a definitive movie review.
