War of the Worlds: The Attack (2023)
Director: Junaid Syed
Starring: Sam Gittins, Vincent Regan, Lara Lemon
Unique Angle: A modern retelling of the story with a younger cast, focusing on adventure and action.
Checklist Comparison
| Checklist Item | Included? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tripods | ✅ Yes | The tripods are present, though their design is slightly updated for a modern audience. |
| Tentacled Martians | ⚠️ Sort of | The Martians are seen, but their tentacled appearance is not emphasized. |
| Red Weed | ❌ No | No depiction of the red weed is included. |
| Black Smoke | ❌ No | The black smoke is absent, replaced by other weaponry. |
| Heat Ray | ✅ Yes | The heat ray is present and used as a primary weapon by the tripods. |
| Snatching and Feeding on Humans | ⚠️ Sort of | Humans are captured, but the feeding aspect is not explicitly shown. |
| Humming Sound | ❌ No | The iconic humming sound is absent from the tripods. |
| The Curate | ❌ No | No character resembling the Curate is included. |
| The Artilleryman | ⚠️ Sort of | A character with some survivalist tendencies appears but is not as developed as in the book. |
| Martians Destroyed by Microorganisms | ✅ Yes | The Martians are ultimately defeated by Earth’s microorganisms. |
| Historical Setting | ❌ No | The setting is updated to modern times, removing the Victorian context. |
| Societal Collapse | ✅ Yes | The film depicts chaos and panic among humanity during the invasion. |
| No Human Victory | ✅ Yes | Humanity does not defeat the Martians; they succumb to natural causes. |
| Atmosphere of Horror and Helplessness | ⚠️ Sort of | Some tension and fear are present, but the focus on action diminishes the sense of helplessness. |
| Thunder Child (Naval Resistance) | ❌ No | No equivalent of the Thunder Child is depicted. |
Observations and Analysis
Strengths:
- The tripods and heat ray are well-executed, providing a sense of Martian technological superiority.
- The microbial resolution remains true to Wells’ original story.
Weaknesses:
- Many iconic elements, such as the red weed and black smoke, are missing.
- The modern setting and younger cast shift the tone away from the original’s focus on existential dread.
- Characters like the Curate and Artilleryman are either absent or underdeveloped.
Creative Deviations:
- The film takes a more action-adventure approach, appealing to a younger audience but losing some of the original’s thematic depth.
Faithfulness Rating
Loose Adaptation
While it includes some key elements, such as the tripods, heat ray, and microbial defeat, this adaptation diverges significantly in tone and detail.
Verdict
The War of the Worlds: The Attack (2023) offers a modernized, action-focused retelling of H.G. Wells’ story. While visually engaging, it lacks many of the iconic elements and thematic depth that make the original so impactful. Fans of the classic may find it lacking, but it serves as an entertaining reimagining for new audiences.