Amazon Prime's 'traumatising' remake of classic earns lowest Rotten Tomatoes score
An Amazon Prime remake of a classic sci-fi film has earned the lowest-possible score on Rotten Tomatoes. The streaming platform's new version of War of the World stars Ice Cube and Eva Longoria, but even having two massive names attached to it did not help things when it came to impressing fans of the original.
On the review-aggregation website, which attracts nearly 80 million film and TV fans on a monthly basis, not one of the 13 reviews is positive and it has therefore been left with a rating of 0%. User ExxtraZY wrote: "I am traumatised. Not because of how graphic it is, but how awful it is. It feels like a 10 year old had a fever dream and decided to write the story at the top of their head."
Another reviewer said: "The butchered one of the greatest sci-fi stories mankind has ever told. Just horrible. Bad writing," and another fumed: "This movie could either be considered a glorified Amazon Ad or a really, really, really bad movie." It comes after one Mirror writer claimed 'the new Bonnie Blue documentary may be the worst thing I've ever seen on Channel 4'.
A fourth reviewer said: "Stayed 20 minutes longer than I should have because of Ice Cube. But even he couldn't save this disaster of an adaptation," whilst one social media user took to X to write: "This new War of the Worlds movie might be the worst movie I have seen in years." Despite this, some fans who had watched the movie felt that they could defend it.
One wrote: "I felt the story was strong enough to suspend belief. I didn't care too much about the special effects, I cared about are the kids going to be OK and how this story is different from the many other renditions I have seen," and another said: "Ok so I am gonna buck the system here. I truly enjoyed WAR OF THE WORLDS. I thought Ice Cube was great – loved the entire cast. Eva Longoria – great. Loved the kids. What is the problem here??"
One irate viewer took to X to vent: "War of the Worlds (2025) is the worst adaption of the source material to date. It had no ideas beyond the found footage approach, and even then the film is struggling to find ways to present coherent scenes.
"Ice Cube is so lost. Maybe one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Most of the film just doesn't make sense because they're trying to rush through a mountain of developments.
The latest version of War of the Worlds, which focuses on an attempted alien invasion, was released last week on the streaming service. But the original novel by HG Wells was published in 1898, and the story has been adapted for the screen multiple times.
After first being broadcast on the radio in the late 1930s, three film adaptations were releases from 1953 and 1981. In 2005, Tom Cruise starred alongside a young Dakota Fanning in a modern remake of the Victorian classic.
There is also Jeff Wayne's musical adaptation, which has toured the country regularly for nearly two decades and has recently featured the likes of Jason Donovan, Steps star Claire Richards, former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith and The Wanted's Max George stepping into its main roles over the years.
The synopsis for the latest incarnation of the story reads: "'A gargantuan invasion is coming with this fresh take on the legendary novel of the same name. Renowned actress Eva Longoria is joined by iconic rapper and actor Ice Cube, along with Michael O'Neill and Iman Benson, for a thrilling out-of-this-world adventure that is filled with present-day themes of technology, surveillance, and privacy."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
38 minutes ago
- Wales Online
ITV The Fortune Hotel fans stunned as season two kicks off with 'mind-blowing' twist
ITV The Fortune Hotel fans stunned as season two kicks off with 'mind-blowing' twist The Fortune Hotel returned to ITV on Wednesday night with a brand new series The Fortune Hotel fans were left stunned as season two kicked off with a "mind-blowing" twist. Presented by Stephen Mangan, the latest instalment welcomes 22 fresh contestants who arrive at the luxury resort in pairs. Each duo receives a mystery briefcase upon arrival. The majority contain nothing, whilst one conceals a life-altering £250,000 prize, and another harbours the feared early departure card. As the new series launched on Wednesday evening (August 6), the holiday-makers touched down at Grenada airport, where Stephen was waiting to greet them. Their initial enthusiasm quickly turned to concern when the presenter disclosed that one couple wouldn't be securing accommodation at the hotel, reports the Mirror. The Fortune Hotel returned to ITV on Wednesday night (Image: ITV) ITV This Morning star showered in support after sharing career move READ MORE: "Your first challenge is to find a room key and make it to the hotel. But there are eleven pairs here and there only ten rooms available at The Fortune Hotel," Stephen explained. "Only the first five pairs to arrive at the hotel will be guaranteed a room. If you're among the bottom six pairs, then you will be in danger because one of those pairs will be heading home." The contestants were subsequently taken to the harbour, where they needed to solve a crossword puzzle to unlock their room keys. Upon reaching the hotel successfully, the leading five pairs selected their cases, with Jake and Mike covertly claiming the £250,000 jackpot. Briony and Chelsey were sent home early (Image: ITV) The remaining six pairs faced the nerve-wracking task of avoiding any briefcase containing the elimination card. In a nail-biting turn of events, best mates Briony and Chelsey chose the ill-fated suitcase and were promptly eliminated before they could even settle into the hotel. Another duo is on the brink of departure after they're handed the next early checkout card, though their identities remain under wraps for now. The season two opener left audiences taking to social media in droves to express their astonishment at the unexpected early elimination twist. Viewers were left speechless after a major twist (Image: ITV) "Someone getting eliminated before it starts? Well I never saw that coming," posted one viewer on X (formerly Twitter). Another added: "So much for ITV budget cuts flying 11 couples to the Caribbean only to fly one pair home back on day 1," while a third said: "Wow harsh start to the show I love it." Article continues below A fourth chimed in with a similar reaction: "With only 10 rooms available, one couple's time in paradise will end almost as soon as it has begun. Talking about overbooking." Speculation is rife among fans, with one suggesting that Briony and Chelsey might make a comeback: "I'm guessing that Chelsey and Briony will get some kind of reprieve later in the series." The Fortune Hotel is available to stream on ITVX
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Mel B shares emotional birthday message to Geri Halliwell despite wedding snub
Spice Girls icon Mel B took to social media to wish her pal Geri Halliwell a happy birthday after the latter missed her London wedding to Rory McPhee back in July Mel B shared a sweet message to fellow Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell, on her birthday after Ginger Spice was unable to attend the star's recent wedding in London. Scary Spice tied the knot with long-term partner, Rory McPhee, at an intimate ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London last month. While fans were eager to spot fellow Spice Girls in attendance, only Emma Bunton was photographed at the event. Geri was noticeably absent as Mel tied the knot with Rory. Geri also chose not to post any well-wishes to Mel B on social media at the time, adding further fuel to the fire on their rift. And now, weeks after her nuptials, Mel quashed rumours of a feud as she wished Geri a happy birthday on social media. It comes after Mel B's 'spiritual' Moroccan wedding with non traditional dress. Along with a throwback photo of the two leaving an event, Mel B wrote: "Happy birthday ginge!" along with a few partying face emojis. In the picture, Ginger Spice threw up peace signs and smiled at the camera and Mel looked stunning as she also smiled for the cameras. Emma shared a few snaps onto her page, including one from a music video shoot, a selfie and a gorgeous wedding picture. She wrote: "Happy Birthday to my beautiful friend @gerihalliwellhorner! Love you to bits. Have the most gorgeous day." Posh Spice opted for a post on her Stories and said: "Happy birthday @gerihalliwellhorner!! Kisses @emmaleebunton xx," as she posted a recent snap of the three at a party. Mel C joined in on the birthday wishes and posted a carousel of throwback and recent pictures of the group, writing: "Happy Birthday darling @gerihalliwellhorner, our Ginger Spice. Have an amazing day, love you to pieces." There had been rumours of a feud, with it being said that Geri was offended by Mel B after the singer claimed the pair slept together while the Spice Girls were still topping the charts. And when the Look At Me star swerved Scary's nuptials in July, fans were convinced things were still awkward between the pair. While Emma attended Mel's wedding in London last month, neither Geri, Victoria or Mel C showed their face. Victoria and Mel C sent their apologies, saying they had a prior engagement, which they couldn't get out of. However, Geri stayed silent. But, a source said to the Mirror that there was no feud between the Friendship Never Ends stars, adding that Geri, Mel C and Victoria simply had other commitments. "There's no snub, the girls are all on friendly terms with one another, but it's no secret that Geri is busy with Christian at Formula One and Victoria is extremely busy with her fashion brand," they said.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
The Pickup review – Eddie Murphy's heinous new comedy is worse than Norbit
The Pickup is easily the worst Eddie Murphy movie in recent memory. That's right: worse than A Thousand Words, the Liar Liar ripoff so underwhelming that Murphy had to take a break from making comedies. And worse than Norbit, the Nutty Professor ersatz probably costing him the Oscar for Dreamgirls. At least in those comedy clunkers, Murphy came to play. He made clear either through advanced prosthetics or through sheer force of personality that he could deliver a satisfying performance no matter the premise – or, better still: elevate hackneyed material. But in this straight-to-Prime Video snoozefest Murphy struggles to hide his age and boredom while looking for all the world like a hostage in his own heist flick. It takes work to make Murphy entirely unfunny, and this film manages the job one-handed. It surrounds him with a playful cast: Eva Longoria, a true all-rounder; Pete Davidson, the SNL stitch-up; and Keke Palmer, maybe the funniest woman of her generation. But then it delivers them a script written by two guys – Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider – best known for a web series about anthropomorphic lobsters. It all comes together in 90 of the longest minutes you'll ever spend in front of a screen, provided you even make it that far. At this late career stage, Murphy is at his best when leaning into nostalgia – whether replaying the hits (Coming 2 America, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F) or indulging his inner child (Dolemite Is My Name, Candy Cane Lane). But The Pickup doesn't even get that right. Instead it has Murphy playing Russell, an armored messenger counting down the days until retirement in a set-up seemingly ripped from the first Lethal Weapon. Then there's Davidson as Travis, the doofus partner who nearly shot up a bank after misreading a random come-on as a robbery attempt. And while his instincts weren't completely off – his seducer, Zoe (Palmer), winds up stripping him of privileged security information – they do ultimately leave him and Russell vulnerable to a hijacking while making rounds in their armored truck. Naturally, that sets up phase 2 of the plan – an overwrought copy-paste of Oceans 11. At one point Zoe chalks up her heist plans as just another big score in our otherwise compromised capitalist system. But that line isn't as eye-roll inducing as the implication of romantic chemistry between Zoe and Travis, which the film is at pains to hammer home with a nod to Davidson's rumored BDE. To watch Murphy throw drop-kicks, launch dye packs and otherwise fend off robbers is to be reminded of Murphy's increasing reluctance to perform his own stunts at age 64. During the press run for Axel F, he joked about rebuffing director Mark Molloy's call to run down a set of steps with greater urgency. 'Don't call me unless you're offering me the same type of shit you would offer Morgan Freeman,' he cracked. In fact, the film's action sequences overall beggar belief. Longoria pops up in the middle of the action like Taraji P Henson at the end of Acrimony. Russell ejects one of Zoe's henchmen from his speeding armored truck on to another car trailing just behind; he crashes back-first on to the hood, caroms on to the highway and somehow lives to fight another day. Worse, bullets fly all over the place – and yet the only one that really lands winds up taking out the chop shop owner played by Marshawn Lynch, a football legend with a pronounced history of repelling unwelcome aggression. Oh, and they had the nerve to name Lynch's character Chop Shop without nodding at that absurdity. They didn't give him any funny lines or make much effort to punch up the truck depot manager portrayed by Andrew Dice Clay – you know, the comedy legend who played to a sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd not long after Murphy set the standard. The waste of comedic talent here borders on criminal, but not as severe as commissioning Ruth Carter to render the pedestrian costumes. All of it will leave you wondering if director Tim Story, the same comedy boffin who gave the world Barbershop, Ride Along and The Blackening – had this picture hijacked out from under him. Or maybe he was just keen to show how many cars he could blow up in one frame? Early on in the film, as the buddy cops settle into the getting-to-know-you stage, Russell shares his gauzy plan to open a bed and breakfast upon retiring, and Travis balks at the career shift. Technically, he tells Russell: 'Your generation can't pivot,' but it feels like he's speaking directly to Murphy – who should've known better than to pick up a full-on action comedy script at his big age. This film isn't likely to do significant long-term damage to his beloved reputation, not with his turn as Inspector Clouseau coming down the pike. But those who do brave his heist flick won't soon forget the time they were taken prisoner, too. The Pickup is out on Amazon Prime Video on 6 August
