Independence Day vs. War of the Worlds

I’ll cast my vote for War of the Worlds. Even if I’m not particularly fond of any of the options on the table.

ruggedridge22 said:Independence Day has its merits, but it also serves as proof that Emmerich always seems to struggle with crossing the finish line to deliver a truly great film. The movie essentially unfolds in three acts—the first act, featuring the suspenseful build-up and the initial alien onslaught, is phenomenal; if the entire film had maintained that caliber, it would have been excellent. The second act starts to show some cracks, though it remains somewhat watchable. However, the third act contains some of the most nonsensical scenes I have ever encountered in a Hollywood blockbuster, but I won't go into detail here since there has already been plenty said about that specific issue. All in all, it’s a silly, entertaining ride, but it certainly could have been better.

War of the Worlds isn't exactly among Spielberg's finest works, but in this particular lineup, it is convincingly superior—it's more atmospheric, darker, and most of it is brilliantly directed. If only little Dakota wouldn't scream so much and pierce my eardrums; that's probably the main reason I've only watched this film a handful of times, even though I keep it in my collection...

Man, I am with you 100% on that 👍

So when we're talking about a remake, specifically that 2005 version of War of the Worlds, the atmosphere is just phenomenal, isn't it? It has one of the best openings ever because that scene at the very start where the Tripod emerges from the ground is just incredible—it totally pins you to your seat and makes you feel like you absolutely have to see the whole thing through to the end.

Even though the 1953 original is a total classic, if you ask me, both films are equally great.

cosmiclynx57 said:Man, I am with you 100% on that 👍

So when we're talking about a remake, specifically that 2005 version of War of the Worlds, the atmosphere is just phenomenal, isn't it? It has one of the best openings ever because that scene at the very start where the Tripod emerges from the ground is just incredible—it totally pins you to your seat and makes you feel like you absolutely have to see the whole thing through to the end.

Even though the 1953 original is a total classic, if you ask me, both films are equally great.

And man, Independence Day is absolutely packed with scenes that grab you by the throat!
Take the beginning, for instance: showing the moon and then having the vibrations from a passing spacecraft wipe out an astronaut's footprint from '69. (Not that the moon even has an atmosphere, but whatever.)

Then you've got the ships hovering over the cities. Then there's the destruction of all those major landmarks—the White House being the big one, obviously.

Plus, all those moments that cynics would probably dismiss as cheesy sentimentality, but honestly? They're just pure, raw emotion.
The President of the USA personally hopping on a jet to save the world!

Look, Independence Day is full of legendary cinematic moments, and the best part is that it isn't weighed down by some bloated director's ego acting like they're filming a heavy-handed prestige drama.

Independence Day has way more humor, whereas War of the Worlds is much darker. I love both for different reasons, but if I had to pick, War of the Worlds edges it out by a hair.
As for that debate at the start about how they’d actually manage to win... 🤣
If those things actually showed up, one thing is for certain: it definitely wouldn't be us winning. 😬

nimblemarlin6 said:And man, Independence Day is absolutely packed with scenes that grab you by the throat!
Take the beginning, for instance: showing the moon and then having the vibrations from a passing spacecraft wipe out an astronaut's footprint from '69. (Not that the moon even has an atmosphere, but whatever.)

Then you've got the ships hovering over the cities. Then there's the destruction of all those major landmarks—the White House being the big one, obviously.

Plus, all those moments that cynics would probably dismiss as cheesy sentimentality, but honestly? They're just pure, raw emotion.
The President of the USA personally hopping on a jet to save the world!

Look, Independence Day is full of legendary cinematic moments, and the best part is that it isn't weighed down by some bloated director's ego acting like they're filming a heavy-handed prestige drama.

I have to agree. It seems Emmerich saved all that inflated directorial ego for The Patriot. He was clearly under the impression he was making a weighty historical drama, but the end result turned out to be something else entirely...

War of the Worlds. I remember being a kid and thinking 🙏 was actually decent, but now 👎 I just can't stand the cheap sentimentality. Even with this Spielberg one having some of that, I still can't stomach it—especially movies like Armageddon, which is easily one of the absolute worst films ever made because I have zero patience for that forced, sappy crap, no matter how hard they try to sell it. I just don't like 😠

cosmiclynx57 said:Man, I am with you 100% on that 👍

So when we're talking about a remake, specifically that 2005 version of War of the Worlds, the atmosphere is just phenomenal, isn't it? It has one of the best openings ever because that scene at the very start where the Tripod emerges from the ground is just incredible—it totally pins you to your seat and makes you feel like you absolutely have to see the whole thing through to the end.

Even though the 1953 original is a total classic, if you ask me, both films are equally great.

I agree. It’s not just the beginning; the entire movie has this freaking uneasy, creepy vibe. I remember being totally shaken for a while after seeing it in the theater.
It's a shame the ending was so simplified. To me, the movie would've been a masterpiece if it lasted another thirty minutes or so and featured more actual fighting against those massive things. And that whole bit about viruses (or bacteria... whatever)... I don't know. It might have been cooler if, say, the military tried out some experimental weapon (like a microwave cannon or something) that messed up their EM shields. I don't think that would've even been pathetic.

Since I haven't read the book, how does it end?

Independence Day is totally naive, but man, it’s such a blast. I’ve probably sat through it at least 7 or 8 times now...
War of the Worlds, though? Only watched that once...

nimblemarlin6 said:And man, Independence Day is absolutely packed with scenes that grab you by the throat!
Take the beginning, for instance: showing the moon and then having the vibrations from a passing spacecraft wipe out an astronaut's footprint from '69. (Not that the moon even has an atmosphere, but whatever.)

Then you've got the ships hovering over the cities. Then there's the destruction of all those major landmarks—the White House being the big one, obviously.

Plus, all those moments that cynics would probably dismiss as cheesy sentimentality, but honestly? They're just pure, raw emotion.
The President of the USA personally hopping on a jet to save the world!

Look, Independence Day is full of legendary cinematic moments, and the best part is that it isn't weighed down by some bloated director's ego acting like they're filming a heavy-handed prestige drama.

Spot on. 👍

I still remember watching this when I was just a kid. If I recall right, we were out in Munich for Oktoberfest. 🤷
It's one of those movies you absolutely love, but now? I'm almost scared to watch it because I've become such a cynic... 😁

Definitely Independence Day.