Independence Day (1996)
Cast: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia
Director: Roland Emmerich
Genre: Disaster, science fiction
Release Date: July 2nd, 1996
Are we alone in the universe? It’s a question that we have asked over the years. What would happen if we looked up into the sky one day and saw giant alien spacecrafts hovering over major cities? Would they send us their peace, or destroy us all? I would love for aliens to visit our planet, but as long as it doesn’t turn out like Independence Day.
Director Roland Emmerich is known for big budget disaster flicks, such as Godzilla, The Day After Tomorrow and 2012, where cities are pulverized in a gruesome famous. We see death, destruction, and devastation that these characters can’t avoid and are forced to deal with. It’s emotional, heartbreaking, and what makes Independence Day a truly remarkable film.
Independence Day released in theaters in 1996. Originally scheduled to hit the big screen on July 3rd, FOX launched the film on July 2nd because of the amount of hype surrounding it, which is also the day the film’s story began. Sadly, I was not old enough to experience it until it I bought the DVD version. But when I finally got to see what all the buzz was about, I understood why and was instantly blown away.
Independence Day released in theaters in 1996. Originally scheduled to hit the big screen on July 3rd, FOX launched the film on July 2nd because of the amount of hype surrounding it, which is also the day the film’s story began. Sadly, I was not old enough to experience it until it I bought the DVD version. But when I finally got to see what all the buzz was about, I understood why and was instantly blown away.
Aliens have been one of sci-fi’s notorious backbones. From Close Encounters of the Third Kind, to Star Wars, and to Alien, it is now Independence Day’s turn. So what does Independence Day bring to the table that is different from other alien movies? One thing that caught my eyes was the groundbreaking visual effects. Seeing New York City, Washington DC and Los Angeles get completely obliterated was an absolute masterpiece that you can’t recreate. The likes of which we have never seen before in a Hollywood blockbuster at the time.
Right off the bat, we are introduced to what the characters are going to be dealing with. A shadow casts over the moon and we see the camera pan up to reveal the size of this massive spacecraft. Measuring at 550 KM in diameter, the craft breaks off into cities size ships calculating at about 15 miles wide which are sent to major cities around the world. The result causes chaos, fear, and ultimately, carnage.
You instantly feel for our characters Steven Hiller (Will Smith), and David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), as you know they are going to be the underdog in this scenario. The spacecrafts have impenetrable defenses that resist against fighter jets, missiles, and nuclear weapons. Our technology will never match with what the aliens have.
What really makes Independence Day different on a complete broad spectrum was its design. It is refreshing to see the amount of practical effects used. Nowadays, Hollywood relies way too much on CGI, and green screen effects. The aliens had an impressive slimy and gooey feel, the ships had an eerie look, and the lasers felt like something right out of Star Wars.
And we can’t forget the most memorable part of the movie. The speech. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Where President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) gives the adrenaline pumping, emotional, and downright badass speech by any president in history. In my opinion, this is something that no other movie has been able to achieve. A speech in which you just want to jump out of your seat and be proud of fighting for what you believe in. “We’re going to live on, we’re going to survive. TODAY, WE CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!”
What sets Independence Day apart from other sci-fi and alien films is it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is very satisfying. It makes you laugh, provides a good story, and plenty of Will Smith knee slappers you’ll be repeating for years. The end result is uplifting, inspiring, and a classic 4th of July feature for all.
✭✭✭✭✰
