Independence Day (1996)

Since Independence Day was on TV this past Wednesday, I really wanted to start a thread dedicated to that movie, but I just didn't get around to it.

I already know how some people are going to jump in with the usual gripes about American favoritism or how the "little slimy guys" get a pass too easily ;D and all that, but for me, Independence Day is a total classic. I especially love that scene where the ship looms over Washington, D.C. (not to mention when Will Smith flies out from the house 😁). It was the biggest movie of 1996, and I’m sure plenty of people remember the massive crowds hitting the theaters back then. Honestly, even though it was made decades ago, the visual effects still hold up against today's biggest blockbusters.

Anyway, it’s a real shame it looks like they gave up on making ID 2.

No matter how many times I watch it, the whole thing feels ridiculous and overdone, yet here I am watching it again. Honestly, I only made it through the first half—up until the end of "Fourth of July." I really wanted to revisit those opening ship scenes because they’re genuinely badass. Even after watching a ton of Sci-Fi lately, those moments still rank in my top five.
But I had to skip the rest; that speech from the "Mr. President" figure honestly makes me sick...

As for the decision regarding ID 2, I think it’s actually a smart move. It doesn't feel like there's much substance here for sequels. Plus, there's the question of whether it would even work today—which is what they care about most—since cinematic tastes have shifted so much since then. It's better to leave it as a standalone; otherwise, they'd just turn it into another exhausting franchise that never should have been.
There's Star Trek and Star Wars, and then there are movies like this...

The first half is actually great, but then the movie just turns into the most pathetic, bottom-of-the-barrel sludge imaginable. It’s almost like Vrdoljak directed it.

I recently popped this one back into my player on DVD for the first time in about six years, and I have to say, it still holds up as one of the best—if not *the* absolute best—blockbusters you have to see from the last two decades...

In my opinion, nothing like Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, James Bond, Tomb Raider, or that kind of junk can even come close to this movie...

And let's face it, they all belong in the same category...

The film has the kind of humor I really enjoy (this DVD version even includes 8 minutes of previously unreleased footage), a straightforward plot, and a solid cast...

It’s definitely the perfect movie for just kicking back and unwinding...

It’s a decent B-movie.

Unfortunately, it was the very film that signaled the start of the era for those high-budget B-movies.

Andrew Wells7 said:The first half is actually great, but then the movie turns into the most pathetic, messy sludge imaginable. It’s almost like Vrdoljak directed it.

Exactly! ☕
I'd also add that this mess is so hilarious, it might actually be worth watching once every ten years... 😂

Independence Day 👍

I think this movie is fantastic. Even ten years later, those special effects still hold up surprisingly well, and the chemistry between Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum is just spot on. I’ve watched it a handful of times, but it only just clicked for me that Dr. Brackish Okun, played by Brent Spiner, is actually Data from Star Trek...
The scenes featuring the arrival of the spacecraft are definitely the highlights for me. My only gripe is that typical American arrogance—the idea that they’re the only ones capable of saving the world. It’s a good thing America isn't the center of attention here; if we were facing an alien invasion, we'd probably just be left to fend for ourselves without any help...😬

Give me a break🙄 ..it’s the absolute worst kind, paired with a mission to Mars and all that cursed American propaganda👎 and plenty more garbage like this 🤮

I caught this on its opening night in New York City and thought it was pure gold. I’ve watched the video at least once and loved it. But now, ten years older and supposedly more mature, I realize the movie is actually complete garbage... though honestly, I couldn't care less.

...

Wait, what? He plays a mathematician from Jurassic Park! He plays dear John! He plays Jayne from Firefly! He plays President Roslyn from Battlestar Galactica! He plays Data! Then Will Smith punches an alien in the face and yells, "Now, THAT'S what I call a close encounter!" A wall of fire rushes into a tunnel, and even though thousands of people are dying all over L.A., the only thing that matters is that one golden retriever survives! The mathematician from Jurassic Park plants a computer virus in the aliens! And an atomic bomb! New York City and Washington, D.C. leveled to the ground! Law!

amberskipper452 said:For heaven's sake.🙄 The absolute worst kind—a mission to Mars fueled by nothing but cursed American propaganda.👎 And plenty more like them. 🤮

Yes! That terrible propaganda claiming there aren't any telepathic aliens that Americans won't just crush underfoot is completely absurd. I mean, we all know those conquerors from Omicron Persei VI absolutely decimated the US during the Vietnam War. And please, let's not even get started on the film's objectivity! Just because the Elyons are ugly, slimy creatures with tentacles doesn't make them monsters.

Frank Moore4 said:Since Independence Day was on TV this Wednesday, I wanted to start a thread dedicated to that movie, but I just didn't get around to it.

I already know how it goes—somebody is going to jump in immediately with the usual complaints about favoring Americans or how they fix things too easily for the "little guys"; 😂 and all that. But for me, Independence Day remains a total cult classic. I especially love the scene where the ship looms over Washington, D.C. (not to mention when Will Smith flies out of the house 😁). It was the biggest hit of 1996, and I think many people still remember the massive crowds hitting the theaters back then. Honestly, even though it was made over twenty years ago, the visual effects hold their own against today's biggest blockbusters.

By the way, it’s a shame that it looks like they gave up on making ID 2.

🙏 Congrats on starting this thread. I second everything you said. The movie is fantastic, a true classic, and one of the best Sci-Fi movies out there.
Definitely! It isn't just a matter of taste; it's simply a great film through and through.
I've watched it at least 20 times 😬 and of course, I have it in my private collection.

10/10 👍

To is a blockbuster in every sense of the word. It packs in everything you expect from those big productions, and honestly, it’s all woven together quite well—aside from that blatant American self-promotion we already discussed 🙂

Ten years ago, I thought this movie was absolutely brilliant (which is probably how every kid feels at that age), but looking back now... man, it’s a different story.
That one scene where they use an Apple laptop to upload a virus into an alien computer system. 🤣

Even though it is painfully stupid, it’s still worth a watch.

That is hands down the best bad movie ever made. It’s so spectacularly terrible that I actually feel like crying when Mr. President gives that speech at the airfield. Despite all the sheer stupidity, it remains one of the most watchable films ever produced.

The only issue is that guy played by Randy Quaid; he’s totally unnecessary, but everything else works fine.

The only thing is that the character played by Randy Quaid feels completely unnecessary; everything else works fine.

But I always end up tearing up during his scenes..

David Price5 said:but my eyes always tear up whenever I think about him..

I’d personally sign you up for the Army right after a statement like that! 😉

It feels like after this one, Roland Emmerich and Devlin really took themselves way too seriously... and went right ahead to film godzilla. 🙄

Roger Allen3 said:I would have signed you up for the military right after making a statement like that. 😉

I am currently serving my civilian duty.