A new adaptation of the H. G. Wells classic “War of the Worlds” hit Amazon Prime this week – and it is a doozy. Already at #2 on the Amazon charts, this version boasts a unique perspective.

That perspective? A computer monitor. The entire film is presented as if the audience is watching a recording of a single screen, in this case, one used by a Department of Homeland Security employee played by Ice Cube.

What we get, as a result, is a movie that, restricted to what you might see on a computer screen, leaves us watching the action of war through video calls, online meetings, and security cameras.

Thankfully, at least for us as viewers, the main character has access to everything. This includes a multi-camera visual on his children walking to work, their computer and phone screens, and even their heart rates.

Not everyone loves this ease of access, particularly the spied-upon children. When confronted about his big-brother-ness, Ice Cube’s character defends himself by declaring, “People would rather have people watch them than blow them up,” a postmodern nod to Benjamin Franklin’s assessment on those who give up liberty to purchase safety.

For a good amount of screentime, the movie seems to agree. The cost of our safety is our privacy. In fact, the film presents our main character’s spying and hacking abilities as the only way to save his children from the incoming alien attacks. Ice Cube even hijacks a Tesla, opens the door, and drives it remotely to get his injured daughter to safety, all from his computer at Homeland Security.

This message of the value of the surveillance state, however, doesn’t survive the whole movie.

Around the 45-minute mark, our characters finally begin to wonder why the aliens attacked in the first place. We quickly discover a strange answer. These particular aliens eat data. They feed on information. And the only reason they came to attack is – wait for it – because the U.S. government secretly launched an ultimate surveillance program called “Goliath,” giving the government all the data. An essentially unlimited source of power, in one location, was born. And it was a perfect source of energy for these particular aliens.

In short, the world is attacked because of the surveillance state.

We also learn that the government knew this might happen. They knew about these aliens and their love of data, but they went forward with “Goliath” anyway.

“The government’s like mommy and daddy,” the program’s architect explains. “If we can’t track our babies, how can we protect them?”

Quite quickly, the movie’s antagonist shifts from the alien invaders to the American surveillance state. The rest of the movie is dedicated to obliterating “Goliath.” With the help of Ice Cube’s access to the surveillance state itself, our protagonists are tasked with infecting the data system with a virus that will delete the information and (hopefully) eliminate the aliens’ desire to attack us.

And while the conclusion is brought about in chaotic form – they do in fact delete “Goliath” – the message that the filmmakers mean to last is clear. In the movie’s final moment, a question pops up on the screen. “Do you accept this website’s use of your data?”

The screen turns black right after the “deny” option is clicked.

As clear as the ending is, “War of the Worlds” can’t shake its earlier glorification of the surveillance state. Paired with a number of plot holes and other ridiculousnesses, the film might even leave some viewers wondering if the whole thing – including the final warning – is meant to be taken seriously at all.

—

The republication of this article is made possible by The Fred & Rheta Skelton Center for Cultural Renewal. 

Image Credit: YouTube/Rapid Trailer