Independence Day

Independence Day

Starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell
Directed by Roland Emmerich

The Story:
As Americans prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, an unknown alien race has arrived, its mother ship sending smaller ships all over the world.  President Whitmore (Bill Pullman), at first, doesn't know how to approach it.  Meanwhile, MIT-computer expert David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) discovers that the aliens are using their satellites against them, and are planning a coordinated attack.

As the aliens attack, the President, David, and other government officials escape and make it to Area 51, where an alien ship that crash landed in Roswell is stored.  A plan is devised to stop the invasion before it begins, and its up to David and Captain Steve Hiller (Will Smith) to lead the charge against the incoming alien horde and save the world from annihilation.

The Synopsis:
Before "Independence Day," there wasn't a full-scale alien invasion epic movie.  Mostly they were the corny 40s and 50s B-rated alien films that weren't taken too seriously.  Director Roland Emmerich (best known for being the precursor to Michael Bay-like massive explosions and effects) delivered the first alien invasion epic, and it became the highest grossing film of 1996, won an Academy Award, and is still listed as one of the most prolific alien invasion films in cinematic history.

Back in 1996, the effects Emmerich used were revolutionary.  He took great care to make a real film that wouldn't be considered cheesy and typical for an alien movie, and even though some of the effects haven't really stood the test of time (you can clearly see in some scenes that the actors were looking at a green screen), it's still epic to scale.  The destruction of the White House alone is still considered as a visual marvel, and at two and a half hours, it maintains the attention of the audience as it goes from one epic scene to the next.

That's not to say the entire film is great.  The dialogue especially is haphazard, and the characters are pretty much stock characters you see in every type of film like this, especially that annoying know-it-all (here played by James Rebhorn) who is all about using nuclear weapons (even when it doesn't work, to do it again and again!) and sending pilots to their certain doom, but poo-poos the rational ideas that would work a whole lot better.  This part of the film is lacking, but there's so much explosions, destruction and excitement that it's not that important in the grand scheme of things.  This isn't "The Remains of the Day."

As far as the actors go, they work amazing in this ensemble piece.  Will Smith's popularity was on the rise after the success of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and his rap career, and this film cemented him as the go-to guy for summer blockbusters.  Bill Pullman plays the President, and he does an amiable job as the young, untested President facing world extinction.  Jeff Goldblum is...well...Jeff Goldblum here.  Eccentric, intelligent and sarcastic, he plays pretty much the same type of role in each film (I so can't wait to see how he tackles "Resurgence").  Mary McDonnell, the late great Robert Loggia, Judd Hirsch, Randy Quaid, Vivica A. Fox, Adam Baldwin, Harry Connick Jr. and Harvey Fierstein (in a memorable, yet small, role) round out the stellar cast.  Each one has an important role, and you find yourself caring for each one. 

One final interesting fact: the little girl who played the President's daughter is Mae Whitman, who went on to do voice-over work for several cartoons and video games, as well as played the lead role in "The Duff."

The Summary:
"Independence Day" was a bonafide hit in 1996 and was the highest-grossing film of the year, and even though some aspects have not withstood the test of time, overall it remains a classic blockbuster film filled with exciting explosions, destruction, and acting.

The Score: A