On July 2nd 1996, a gigantic mothership parks itself above the Earth and then releases a bunch of "smaller" ships (that are still big as fuck). These smaller ships station themselves all over the Earth, hovering above major cities. As history teaches us, it's never a good thing when massive spaceships start ominously hovering above major cities, but some people were still optimistic. Hell, the President of the United States (Bill Pullman) didn't even leave the White House. It's not until satellite technician Jeff Goldblum (who's so quirky he rides a bicycle inside a building! What a madman!!!) figures out that the mysterious tone being broadcast by the aliens is actually a countdown to a coordinated attack, that people start getting worried. It's a good thing that his ex-wife (whom he's still in love with, naturally) just happens to be the President's Director of Communications. Small world. So anyway, the countdown ends and the aliens bring the motherfuckin' ruckus, but it's not a big enough motherfuckin' ruckus, cause the puny Earthlings still have the ability to fight back! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!
For a big budget 90's disaster flick, INDEPENDENCE DAY is pretty fun. I mean, it ain't no ARMAGEDDON, but it's still a fun time-waster with a ridiculous story, cheesy dialogue and nice looking special effects. Plus, I'm always a sucker for alien invasion movies.
Satisfactory (over)acting by a big name cast, quick pace that makes the 154-minute runtime fly by, dated special effects that still look good, Will Smith making a chicken noise, lots of eye-rolling patriotic moments, questionable computer abilities, famous landmarks getting blown the fuck up, President Bill Pullman's rousing pre-battle speech that will make you stand up and salute your television, Jeff Goldblum recycling a line from JURASSIC PARK, a very young Mae Whitman as the President's daughter, Harry Connick Jr. admiring Will Smith's butthole. Fun film that is easily rewatchable.
Part 2 - Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951)
