| Product: |
Independence Day (DVD) |
| Date: |
16/03/06 (69 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Enjoyable Sci Film, Good Action
Disadvantages: Very American
Technical Information
Duration: 2 hours and 19 minutes (approx)
Certificate: 12 years and over
Director: Roland Emmerich
Year: 1996
About the Film:
This film is one of a number of Alien Invasion films that have been released.
This story focuses on a number of characters within the film. You follow the film from Will Smith's point of view (he is a US Air Force Pilot), Bill Pullman (who plays the President of the US) and Jeff Goldblum (an eccentric who works out the whole plot).
Basically the story goes that Alien Ships arrive in the skies over the major capitals of the world and everyone is naturally astonished and amazed.
Communication is attempted but shock horror, they attack.
The story continues with the last survivors around the world beginning the fight back with Will Smith flying an Alien Spaceship up to the Mother Ship to insert a virus to stop their forcefields from protecting their ships.
Usual finish to these stories, Humans win, Aliens Die and everyone lives happy ever after.
Should mention that you have a kinda love interest between Will Smith and his girlfriend. It is underplayed but it is there.
My Opinion:
Ok, I really enjoyed this film and do like it. I am a Will Smith fan and think that most films he is in are excellent. This film is no different.
I should mention, I liked this film enough that I went twice to see it in the cinema. Should mention that I was at Aberystwyth University at the time with little to do and only one film at the cinema each week.
Ok, why did I like this film:
Firstly it is an entertaining, amusing family film. I cannot remember much being wrong with this film, there is little real violence, no sex and if I remember correctly little swearing. So if all your films have to include these things then stay clear from this film.
However, this is a film that you could watch with your family and passes the parent test (Whats the parent test I hear you say, well basically it is simply would you be willing to sit down and watch this film with your parents without being ashamed or apologetic.
THE CAST:
Will Smith does his usual role from the beginning of his career before he expanded his role and plays the US Army Pilot and the of course the major Hero and cool dude.
Bill Pullman plays a very good role as the American President. He really does play the role like all Americans would love their presidents to be like, loving father and husband, ex Military Pilot, veteran of a war (think it was Gulf War but cannot remember, Brave, Charasmatic and All-in-all just a nice guy. I think that Bill Pullman is an excellant supporting actor and really does well in this film.
Jeff Goldblum is good as the Eccentric who works out the plot of the Aliens and also how to stop them. He does his role very well and is a nice contrast to Will Smith.
THE STORY:
The actual story is OK, usual Alien Invasion kinda thing, it did make me laugh at the end as they rejoice as they finally work out how to kill the Aliens and suddenly they manage to wipe them out quite easily. Considering that all of the major cities of the world were wiped out, it is kinda amusing that they celebrate so much.
Highlight of the story really is the starting point as the Aliens arrive and the Alien freaks appear to welcome them. Banners include Welcome home Elvis, and Take me to your leader! Kinda amusing that they are the first to die in the Death Ray from the Aliens.
SPECIAL EFFECTS:
I do think that this film does include some nice special effects. You have some nice aerial battles between the Americans and the Alien spaceships (the smaller fighter kind).
You also have the Death Ray from the Alien ships which I really do like and think is done really well. You get the whole attack as the Death Ray hits down and then spreads out over the city. Nice special effects there.
DRAWBACKS:
OK, I am Welsh and British and enjoy movies. One thing about this film was simply how American it was. To explain, at one point in the film you flick to the British troops in the Desert who are being told the American plan to defeat the Aliens and the line from the British Commander goes: "About time they came up with a plan!" as if no one else could make a plan except the Americans. Only a minor point, but I really remember being irritated by this at the time. Although as you can see above, I did see this twice in the cinema.
Another point is that it is not really anything new or spectacular. It has all been done before and there are better versions, however it is an entertaining film and worth watching. Just never going to be a classic.
TRIVIA:
Not sure about this, but it is my observation and it looks true. For all those who have seen X-Files the Movie, at the end of the X-Files an Alien Spaceship takes off. Now I think that this Spaceship is the same ship as used in Independence Day. Just my observation, but it surely looks similar, even down to the main hole in the middle of the ship for the Death Ray.
All in all this is an entertaining amusing film that is worth watching, just don't expect a classic.
Cast:
Will Smith
Bill Pullman
Jeff Goldblum
Mary McDonnell
Judd Hirsch
Robert Loggia
Randy Quaid
Margaret Colin
Adam Baldwin
Brent Spiner
Harry Connick Jr.
James Rebhorn
Verdict: 3 out of 5
Summary: Entertaining Film.
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Last comment:
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soundsexciting - 19/03/06 I was irrated by the exact same scene as yourself. |
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