One of the best movies of all time.
What a great movie...still lives up to the special effects of the day today and the new extended edition is amazing on blu-ray can't wait for the new movie.....
ID4 blew the door wide open to the sci-fi action genre. It was the birth of the blockbuster. Is it perfect ? That depends on how you view it. You can find flaws in any movie. The question is how much you let it affect you. Are there logic issues ? Yes. Does it matter ? No, because it is entertaining as hell and the story is much better then dozens of movies that came after this. Despite the fact it is now over 20 years old it has aged well. My opinion has always been that life photography SFX ages better than CGI.
In any case it is way better than the re-quel
Are there stupid things that happen in ID4? Sure. Checked reality lately? Stupid things happen all the time. But so do heroic things. As well as evil. Typical fare for the ancient tragedies. I believe ID4 carries on that ancient and honorable tradition: entertainment. And viewing it as a work of art, I must say that I was impressed over and over again while watching this film: where most of the studios would have wussed out or flinched, these film makers didn't. They stepped up to the plate and tried to beat the ball to death over and over again with their bat.
Hey, pack members and lone wolves! Kiba Snowpaw here, your guide from the frosty realm of HowlStrom. Today, I'm taking a leap back to revisit a classic that’s as thrilling as a midnight hunt - "Independence Day." This movie, let me tell ya, is a gem that I'd almost forgotten how awesome it is. It’s up there with the first two "Alien" movies in my den of favorites. And about Will Smith? This one's where he really showed his fangs, in a good way!
Basic Plot Summary
So, "Independence Day" is about these massive alien spaceships showing up over Earth’s major cities. It’s like waking up to find your territory invaded by a rival pack, but a thousand times scarier. The story follows a bunch of humans, including a hotshot fighter pilot (that’s Will Smith!), a brainy scientist, and the U.S. President. They’re all scrambling to figure out how to save the planet from these extraterrestrial party crashers.
Analysis/Evaluation
The movie is like a wild chase across the icy plains of HowlStrom – it’s fast, furious, and full of surprises. It’s got explosions, dogfights in the sky, and some of the best alien smackdowns you’ll ever see. The tension builds up like a snowstorm, and when it hits, it’s a full-blown blizzard of action!
Characters
Will Smith as Captain Steven Hiller? Absolutely howltastic! He’s cool, funny, and as brave as a wolf facing down a bear. Then there's Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson, the nerdy guy who figures out the alien’s weakness. He’s like the smart loner of the pack who comes through in a pinch. And Bill Pullman as the President? He’s as inspiring as an alpha leading the charge against invaders.
Structure
The movie’s pacing is spot on. It starts with a bit of mystery, then revs up the action like a snowmobile hitting top speed. The story weaves together different characters and plots smoothly, like tracks in the snow converging on a single point.
Impact
"Independence Day" isn’t just a blockbuster; it’s a landmark in sci-fi cinema. It’s like that first big hunt you never forget. The film brought together an epic scale, groundbreaking effects, and a story that’s both exciting and heartwarming. It's about coming together to face a common threat, like different wolf packs uniting against a danger to all.
Hook and Thesis
The hook of this movie is its blend of action, humor, and heart. It’s not just about blowing up aliens; it’s about humanity’s resilience, like a pack facing down a harsh winter and emerging stronger.
Praise and Critique
The special effects? Mind-blowing, like seeing the northern lights for the first time. The script? Full of memorable lines and moments. If there's a bone to pick, it’s that some parts might feel a tad cheesy now, but hey, that's part of its charm.
Evaluation
For anyone who loves a good mix of sci-fi, action, and a dash of humor, "Independence Day" is a must-watch. It’s like the best kind of hunt – challenging, rewarding, and leaves you feeling like a true alpha.
Comparison
It stands tall among alien invasion films, much like the first two "Alien" movies. While those are more about suspense and horror, "Independence Day" is like the big, loud, and fun cousin who’s always the life of the party.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Independence Day" is a classic that’s still as thrilling as a race across the snowy fields of HowlStrom. It's a reminder of why sometimes, Will Smith really is the leader of the pack. So, if you ever need a reminder of how good this movie is, just pop it in, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
That's all from me, Kiba Snowpaw. Until next time, keep your fur warm and your spirits adventurous. And remember, even an ice wolf can appreciate a good alien invasion story! :wolf::milky_way:
Seen it at the cinema at 14 and I totally loved it, it was a blast.
A goofy, yet exciting movie with a great cast. Definitely one of those movies that remind us why we go to the theater in the first place.
:heart::heart::heart::heart::heart::heart::heart::heart: - This film was a superb film back in the days
My rating system works:
10:heart:- Masterpiece :100:
9:heart:- Excellent
8:heart: - Amazing :ok_hand:
7:heart:- Great :sun_with_face:
6:heart: - Good :thumbsup:
5:heart: - Average :head_bandage:
4:heart: - Bad but watchable :octagonal_sign:
3:heart: - Bad :sob:
2:heart:- Awful :face_vomiting:
1:heart: - Bull Shit
:heart:x8
This is one of my guilty pleasure movies - something i'll always watch if it comes on. It's just a fun mindless summer-blockbuster popcorn movie. Does it make much sense? No. Full of plot-holes? Yes? Fun? Yes!
How I rate:
1-3 :heart: = seriously! don't waste your time
4-6 :heart: = you may or may not enjoy this
7-8 :heart: = I expect you will like this too
9-10 :heart: = movies and TV shows I really love!
"The Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!"
4th of July: Good food and watching Independence Day. Who can argue with that? This movie holds up decades later and was what started the summer blockbuster trends for years to come. It has some corny moments but for the most part, the story flows. Also, Jeff Goldblum is a national treasure.
I haven't watched a movie in a couple days, just a little busy with work, but it's tradition to keep showing this classic. I'm a fan of Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin's films, as controversial as they can be, but the one everyone universally gathers around is their 1996 hit, Independence Day. A smash hit at the box office, the biggest movie in the world, about America, no, the world's independence from extraterrestrial life. While full of quips and stock characters, the action, world building, and surprisingly poignant drama has stood this movie the test of time. The sequel may have came and went, but Bill Pullman's speech will never die. May everyone have a good 4th of July, and let's just have a moment for one of the best speeches ever.
Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in this history of mankind. Mankind, that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps its fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution, but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live, to exist. And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice: We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!
"That's the president's daughter."
"Her? What is she, funny or something?"
Harry Connick Jr. never got the credit he deserved for opening the pianist-turned-actor door for Josh Groban.
Independence Day is a classic sci-fi movie that, while it can be a little cheesy at times, is still a good film. The movie takes you on a fun ride with some laughs scattered throughout, making it an enjoyable watch. While Randy Quaid's character is a bit over the top, he is a necessary part of the script, adding a crucial layer to the story. However, it is Will Smith's performance that truly makes this film work. Smith's charisma and energy shine through, bringing a level of excitement and authenticity to the movie.
A solid silly 90s action movie. Some of the effects look dated and some still look pretty good. Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum are a lot of fun.
From writer/director Roland Emmerich comes the exciting sci-fi adventure Independence Day. In the aftermath of a surprise alien attack a ragtag group of military forces and civilians band together to fight back. Starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Randy Quaid, the film has a talented cast that gives some good performances. And, the special effects are especially well-done; delivering incredible battle sequences. Additionally, the storytelling is remarkably efficient, and does an impressive job at introducing the characters and moving the plot forward. Still, there are a lot of contrivances and leaps in logic in order to make the story work. And, there are stereotypes aplenty; from the stripper with a heart of gold, to the mad scientist, to the warmongering military commander. But regardless of its problems, Independence Day is tremendously fun and entertaining.
I am a Will Smith fan but found his performance overrated. Jeff Goldblum is good. I guess my problem is this is a large budget blockbuster movie but it seems like a cheap movie of the week.
Its a very good alien sci-fi movie UNTIL the last final hour...then its only another movie about american patriotism... the way they destroy the alien mothership and the other spacecrafts is an absurd!!!!
Certainly not a winner for dialogue and acting but with entertainment in the special effects department there's fun to be had.
Is there an Area 51? A sobering thought.
Brent Spiner makes this film! On the other hand the general who keeps saying 'My God!' is so so annoying
Slow and boring and too long
Just as corny, but as entertaining, as usual.
A totally mindless but fun movie that is so grand in scale that I can forgive the fact that its corny as hell. Suspending disbelief of an alien invasion is less of a problem in this film than believing all of the incredible coincidences that occur between the characters. The best thing about the movie is the special effects which are massive and Brent Spiner's crazed Area 51 scientist. The worst things are Randy Quaid's annoying Russell character Jeff Goldblum's eco-geek David Levinson and worst of all the Goldblum "hero strut" which can been seen as he walks across the desert in the final scene.
I am on Team Aliens
Giant, hostile, alien spaceships appear overnight to move on Earth's natural resources; humanity's last, desperate hope is a shaky plan involving a captured UFO from the 1950s and an old PowerBook laptop. Seems like this one was a guilty-pleasure classic from opening day. ID4 isn't well-written and constantly bathes itself in dense layers of cheese, but it tries hard, most the character arcs connect and the big special effects hold up quite well, despite their age.
For a movie that's so thoroughly reliant on spectacle, that last point is pretty important. The power of watching the White House or Empire State Building burst into a billion bitty pieces is still there, irresistible, while the magnitude of the invading fleet remains immense, and I think both can be attributed to the production's choice to eschew then-new CG techniques in favor of a large, intricately detailed stable of miniatures. We get a few hiccups, like the obviously green-screened fighter jets or the absurd visual of a golden retriever leaping to slow-motion safety through a fiery inferno, but for the most part it all looks great and it's still easy to get sucked into the experience.
Of course, the whole thing is over-acted to death. Roland Emmerich has never been one to bring out nuance from his cast, and this is an awfully shallow effort, even by his standards. Bill Pullman nails the big motivational speech, set to a telegraphed swell of patriotic symphony, but otherwise lacks conviction as a limp, reactive PotUS. Randy Quaid is a cheap xerox of every alien abduction stereotype to ever enter pop culture. Jeff Goldblum is naturally quirky enough to make his role worthwhile, but it takes every bit of his innate charismatic magnetism to overcome the dumb plot developments. Will Smith is the only unequivocal success, barking and fist-pumping his way to bonafide action hero status in a simple but essential role as a beefy marine / pure force of will.
From a critical perspective, this is cinematic junk food. Big bangs and shiny lights to dazzle the box office crowd, with a few easy jokes to lighten the mood. But yet, there's something else to it, something essential and inexplicable. It's just raw, simple fun, I suppose, that makes no apologies for how it acts or what it aims to be. It won't make you think or weep, but you'll feel, and that's worth something.
We see it again for the premiere of the second, I like it again
I wanted to see this day that coincides with the film, and I still like, is than imposible as allways the way they win
Took me 3 whole sittings to finish this. The visuals were great for 1996, and that's about it. The casting doesn't matter because every character is built like a titanic sized cliche, with the script/dialogue being the iceberg. The two don't go very well together. The pacing was horrible, and the story was nothing but a cliche. Just watch Resurgence instead. It's just as bad, but the alien side to it is so worth it. Unlike in this, there was zero tension or interest to them. Honestly, this could be a 30-minute short. That's how much nonsense repetative filler there is.
I remember watching this on TV when I was a kid
I thought it was fun
but I definitely don't think it holds up very well
and really don't have any nostalgia for it
That's a really bad movie, I don't understand why he is considerated a masterpiece. Bad special effetcs, bad shy-fy theory, bad acting. I heard just one voice in my ears during all the movie time: "IUESSEI, IUESSEI, IUESSEI".
I don't care how old you are you, if you grew up with it or not. This movie is a f----ing blast from beginning to end!
Shout by BenVIP OG 13BlockedParent2012-07-04T10:46:55Z
THE Best Alien-Attack Movie Of All-Time!
All the new flicks like "Skyline", "Battle L.A." and $#!+ are nothing against Roland Emmerich's work. And it's from 1996 - imagine that...
Anyway I'm really excited about Part 2 comming 2013.
Happy Independence Day everybody ;)