In 1996 ‘Independence Day’ became one of the year’s biggest
movies. An escapist sci-fi epic about pesky aliens determined to destroy
earth, it was a mindless block-buster in the classic Hollywood tradition.
A more commercially minded variation of the 1950’s alien invasion films, it
raked in buckets of cash. It should surprise no one that a sequel was
made. That it took twenty year to materialise speaks volumes of the often slow
process of Tinsletown’s infamous ‘development hell’. The result is fair
nonsense in the familiar popcorn variety fashion.
Biding their time for revenge, an evil alien race is intent
on destroying earth once more. Facing a planet using technology borrowed
from their last encounter, the aliens face a group of humans ready for battle.
Amongst the humans are scientist David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), former
President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) and fighter pilot Jake (Liam
Hemsworth). Standing for their world against a wicked galactic force,
humanity fights back for honour and freedom.
‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ is pure fantastical
fluff. You can’t take it too seriously as spaceships whiz around a
terrified earth. The film exists purely as a vehicle to show off the
amazing CGI and to increase a cinema’s noise level. Both leave more of an
impression than the acting and script which are both mediocre. But you
expect that for this type of mindless block-buster with director Roland
Emmerich, an old hand at these sorts of puff pieces.
The biggest reason why ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ is largely
forgettable is the uninteresting characters. Apart from Goldblum and Pullman,
none are memorable with most of the characters living in a charisma-free
zone. That’s something the first film had with the sequel going through
the motions with the mechanics of commercial film-making often in view.
If you go along for the silly ride then it works although Shakespeare has no
reason to fear its script-writers from stealing his mantle.
An escapist yarn only Hollywood could make, ‘Independence
Day: Resurgence’ is very predictable but fun. It’s fair-to-middling
without being great although viewers should remember to collect their brains
they leave at the door when seeing this expensive but mindless piffle.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 5
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie
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