Sometimes, you stumble across a movie that makes you wonder… why was this even made? That’s precisely what Dallas and John found themselves asking when they sat down to watch the Amazon Prime exclusive War of the Worlds (2025), a “screen-life” style alien invasion film starring Ice Cube. On paper, it sounds like a bold modern spin on H.G. Wells’ sci-fi classic. In reality? Well… that’s what this episode of The Bottom Shelf is all about.
Listen to the full episode here:
How Bad is War of the Worlds 2025? – The Bottom Shelf
What Went Wrong (and Occasionally Right)
The movie drops us into a world where Ice Cube plays a DHS agent monitoring humanity through endless Zoom calls, security feeds, and smartphone cameras as aliens invade Earth. It’s an intriguing concept, but the film stumbles almost immediately. Stock footage dominates, CGI feels inconsistent, and awkward editing reveals green screens in reflections. The story tries to juggle conspiracy theories, government surveillance, and father-daughter drama—but it never quite balances the weight.
Dallas, a longtime fan of War of the Worlds, found the wasted potential frustrating, while John compared it to a modern-day Plan 9 from Outer Space. Both noticed the over-the-top product placement—Amazon Prime literally saves the world with a drone delivery.
Yet, despite the clunky visuals and flat acting (thanks in part to COVID-era restrictions), there’s a strange charm to the chaos. John suggested it might have a future as a “so bad it’s good” group watch movie, while Dallas saw glimpses of what could have worked if the story had been reframed as a web series or parody.
The Verdict
So, where does this War of the Worlds land on The Bottom Shelf rating system? After much debate, the guys settled on a tentative Middle Shelf. Not because it’s good, but because it might be fun to watch with a group of friends, snacks, and plenty of laughter. Left alone, though, it teeters dangerously close to Dumpster Fire territory.
As always, Dallas and John closed with “The Weak Connection,” pointing back to faith. John reminded us from Colossians 3:23 that whatever we do should be done as unto the Lord. Dallas echoed Psalm 127:1, reminding us that unless God is in what we’re building, our efforts are ultimately in vain.