Although the plot may feel familiar, the development of the storyline is thrilling, and it is enhanced by an excellent cast. Both Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum are ideally suited to their roles, playing bravado (Smith) and quirkiness (Goldblum) to perfection. Bill Pullman is surprisingly believable as the President, and the fine Robert Loggia is a natural general. Supporting characters Judd Hirsch, Randy Quaid, Brent Spiner, and Harvey Fierstein are all a bit over-the-top, yet they are completely appropriate for the mood of the film--wasn't Darth Vader over-the-top too? And also like in Star Wars, this movie does have its cheese-y moments, but again, the goofiness fits right in. A final comparison to Star Wars is the way I felt just after seeing the film for the first time, which is to say, amazed, exhilarated, and eager to view it again (which I did just two days later). Independence Day has stood the test of time for me: it's one of only a handful of movies that I own, and I never tire of repeated viewings. This is Sci Fi at its best!


TERRIFIC SCI-FI ALIEN INVASION ACTION FLICK...   December 15, 2001
 62 out of 79 found this review helpful

This is a sensational, sci-fi, alien invasion, action film with a terrific cast and superlative special effects. Alien invaders suddenly darken the skyline across the world, as city sized flying saucers hover ominously over major cities world wide. A computer geek, David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), figures out how the alien ships are communicating with each other and realizes the import of what he has discovered. He manages to have an audience with President Whitmore (Bill Pullam), as his ex-wife is one of the president's top aides, and tells the president of his findings. Wonder at the alien saucer spectacle turns to terror, as the meaning of the ships in the sky becomes clear.

The White House evacuates just in time, as the aliens launch a world wide attack in complete synchronization, an awesome spectacle that enthralls the viewer. A counter attack is launched, led by fighter pilot Captain Steve Hiller (Will Smith), which ends in disaster for the fighter pilots, as only Hiller survives to fight another day. He manages, however, to bring in a captive. Notwithstanding the gravity of the premise of the film, there are moments of comic relief interspersed throughout.

Meanwhile, our computer geek, realizing why the counter attack failed, comes up with a solution, one that requires nerves of steel and a desire to walk on the wild side. A second counter attack is launched world wide, which leads to some terrific action scenes and heroics by a most unlikely candidate. Naturally, mankind is victorious. It is not the victory itself, however, but what leads up to the victory that makes the film so entertaining.

This is a fast paced film with a myriad of subplots and coincidental pairings that may stretch the viewer's credence but do not take away from the enjoyment of the film. The special effects are dazzling. The cast is excellent. Will Smith is charming and funny throughout. Bill Pullam is appropriately presidential, and Jeff Goldblum is a most convincing computer geek. Look for fine performances from the stellar supporting cast: Mary McConnell, Robert Loggia, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, Judd Hirsch, James Rebhorn, Harry Connick, Jr., and Harvey Fierstein. All in all, this is a marvelous film.

Be prepared for an unintended poignant moment in the film, when the camera pans to the New York skyline and the viewer sees the World Trade Center twin towers standing proud and tall on the horizon. It is a moment that gives the viewer pause in remembrance of what was. It is, indeed, a moment to remember.

The quality of this two disc DVD is superlative with crystal clear visuals and great sound quality. The letterbox format offers both the theatrical release version and the special edition version from which to choose. The special edition version offers an extra nine minutes of restored footage. The second disc offers a myriad of features, including an interesting thirty minute documentary on the making of the film. All in all, this two disc DVD is a terrific value and well worth having in one's collection.


THIS MOVIE DOES HAVE A POINT...   April 8, 2000
 36 out of 47 found this review helpful

This is not a great movie, and it isn't as impressive on video as in the theater, but it works on a number of levels. I saw a packed house applaud this film twice and I think I know a reason why.

Hidden in all the stupidity (although there are some incredibly well done scenes-- the alien arrival; the first battle) is a story about a bunch of underachievers shaking off their problems and saving the day. You have a President failing in the polls (Pullman), a fighter pilot (Smith) who repeatedly fails to make the astronaut corps; an alcoholic Vietnam era fighter jock(Quaid) who can't do a crop dusting job right; a stripper (nothing against strippers) who manages to save her family and her dog during the alien launched holocaust. It's no wonder so many people wanted to see the aliens lose -- in many ways this movie is about overcoming obstacles.

This movie also makes real everyone's ultimate fantasy of super aliens taking on a super power -- probably why the blowing up of the White House caused such a reaction -- seeing that, you know the battle's on.

The message of everyone working together is somewhat lost in the jingoism of the film, but seeing an Arab/Israeli pilot team kind of brings home the message. It is a silly movie, but at its heart it connects with people's optimism. Most movies today are more cynical, so it's interesting that this one works. Enjoy it.

Also, much has been said about the inability of the laptop to connect with the alien ship-- Goldblum discovers the alien's use of our satellite system -- according to the movie they had already made THEIR system compatible to ours. Well, it's possible, anyway.


An Outstanding DVD Package!   July 3, 2000
 32 out of 38 found this review helpful

Studios are finally getting the whole DVD thing! This is a truly worth-your-money deal with lots of extras including two versions of the film; the first version is the original theatrical release and the second version is a directors cut featuring about 9 minutes of added footage not released in theatres. What's really great about this is they list what new scenes have been included and some of them are really funny and some of them make the story a lot more heartfelt. Also included is a second disc that includes a really cool mockumentary called "The ID4 Invasion" which is truly a priceless gem in this great collection. Also, there is commentary, lots of interviews with cast and crew, a special effects documentary on the making of the film and the original biplane ending which unfortunately looks really hokey and what I felt after watching it was-THANK GOD THEY DIDN'T GO WITH THAT ENDING-THAT ENDING WOULD'VE MADE THIS MOVIE A "REAL" DISASTER! For a product like this under $30 it is totally worth your money. For those who appreciated this movie as a special effects funfest, this DVD is not one to be passed up. For those of you boring types who felt this movie needed a "serious acting edge" buy Out of Africa and leave science fiction alone! Cheers!


Great Entertainment (for U.S. citizens)   August 18, 1999
 26 out of 38 found this review helpful

If you read on thru this whole list, you'll see that people either love or hate this movie. The ones that hated it expected it to be something its not - Star Trek, apparently, although they are somehow upholding Star Wars as being a believable picture with serious acting and well-rounded character development. HUH?

Independence Day is neither. It is an action film, in the tradition of The Rock and ConAir. If you like that stuff, you'll like this better. If not, you probably won't like this - especially if your normal film selection runs toward serious drama. This isn't Wells, and it isn't meant to be; nowhere did the producers say they were re-making the War of the Worlds except in people's imaginations.

I only had two problems with this film:

1) It's target audience is the USA and only the USA. Now, if you're a US citizen, like I am, and you thought it wouldn't be shown in any other country, you could sit back and enjoy it and get all teary-eyed with patiotism. [Just like if it was made in your country and depicted your country as saving the day you might react the same way - probably most people have some kind of fantasy where they save the world single-handedly, even if the fantasy is only momentary - the movie is like that]. But when you know other world citizens will see it, it's just plain embarrassing. Unfortunately, what it *does* try to get across (its only real message) is that we would all of us on Earth work together if anything like that ever happened (and you know we would, I don't care where you're from). And it fails this by being too US-oriented. We're not all a bunch of provincials, in spite of movies like this being made.

2) The inclusion of an absolutely gratuitous death for no reason other than to draw sympathy, apparently. You'll know what I mean when you see it. These two problems are all that kept it from being five stars.

I still recommend you see it. It was outstanding otherwise (unless you're the heavy drama type as mentioned above). If you're not from the US, just bite your tongue and know that a lot of us are just as embarrassed as you are miffed.