Though Independence Day may make itself out to be a stand-alone film, it's not. Actually, it's not even close. The only reason this isn't called War of the Worlds is likely due to licensing issues. This has all been done before, just not with this much goofy, unbelievable fun and special effects prowess.
Don't think this is an update to the original H.G. Wells story. This is an update to the 1953 classic film which took many liberties, most of which are copied here. The biggest change here is tone. This a lighthearted look at our own potential doom, spliced in with horrific sequences of people being mutilated by the hundreds. For whatever reason, it all works.
This is simply a great ride. Things explode, Will Smith is hilarious, and it's quickly paced. It wastes no time in getting things moving. You see the alien's main spacecraft before you even see an actor. That tells you right there where this movie is headed.
Oddly, it's packed with characters, far too many as to be necessary to the story. Jeff Goldblum can never have too much screen time and Bill Pullman (along with Will Smith) are the only "necessary" characters. The rest could be quickly forgotten with little harm to the film. Randy Quaid could have been cut all together. The others toss out a few comedic quips; Quaid does nothing but.
Besides, it's the aliens we've come to see. They blow things up, we're all happy. That's the case here. The special effects have aged slightly as a few shots have become quite noticeable over the years. Still, it's hard to top the insane amount of destruction portrayed here.
Argue all you want about how ridiculous the movie can be and how stupid it all comes out in the end. If you can believe giant alien motherships can come down and blow everything away in multiple countries, how much harder is it to swallow that a compatible computer virus can be written to take them all down? It's not a smart film and it's never meant to be. It's here to entertain, and it does that better than numerous summer blockbusters. (**** out of *****)
This Five Star Collection 2-disc set boasts a magnificent transfer, right up there with the usual Fox quality. A few sporadic scenes have trouble with noise in the background. Other then that, this is flawless. Fine detail is high, color is unbelievable, and you're not going to miss any of the details in the special effects. (****)
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