‘ War of Worlds’ flashback could have been a panic

There are a lot of funny people in “Brave New Jersey,” but the movie is not very funny.

Oh, it’s cute in spots, and the actors have some engaging moments. But with a cast this good, you expect something that will provide some genuine laughs, not merely an occasional smile.

The movie is lifted from a real incident. In 1938, Orson Welles narrated a radio adaptation of H. G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds” that terrified listeners who genuinely believed Martians were invading. It inspired a decent 1975 TV movie that pretty much spelled it all out in the title, “The Night That Panicked America.” “Brave New Jersey” takes a whimsi- cal stab at the event.

As the faux invasion occurs, the film bobs among residents of a New Jersey town and we see their reactions. Unfortunately, none are never particularly surprising or clever.

There are other issues, too. Dialogue, music and situations often seem anachronistic — the town’s mayor writes a song that never would have existed in 1938, for example. Director and co- writer Jody Lambert seems to have trouble with pacing and mood. A sense of urgency never kicks in, even when fear starts overtaking the townsfolk. Instead, everything plays out in such mild- mannered fashion that it threatens to evaporate before your eyes.

There are hilarious performers in here whose gifts aren’t utilized. Tony Hale, so funny on HBO’s “Veep,” plays the mayor. Dan Bakkedahl, a scene- stealer on CBS’ “Life in Pieces,” is the minister. You’ve also got Anna Camp (“Pitch Perfect”), Heather Burns (“Miss Congeniality”) and Erika Alexander (“Living Single”): These are laugh- out- loud people caught in a meek film that’s afraid to ruffle any feathers.