WAR OF THE WORLDS

Will Radford (Ice Cube), a brash data analyst for the Department of Homeland Security, uses a mass surveillance program to monitor potential threats, and often crossing ethical boundaries to keep an eye on his own family. When meteors strike Earth and crack open to reveal large machines, Will and NASA scientist Sandra Salas (Eva Longoria) realise it’s an alien invasion. The story unfolds through multiple computer screens, sharing online calls, surveillance footage, and social media posts. This is meant to create a sense of urgency and place the audience inside the action but instead it’s a confusing and unrealistic jumble of tech nonsense. Everything about this film is disappointing – the plot, the acting, the characters, the special effects, the blatant product placement and mostly, the fact that it was even produced. It’s a fresh take we could have done without and a stain on the legacy of the original 1938 radio series. Such a mess!