Unimaginative, one-dimensional and visually awesome

Rating: 6/10 (31 March 2008)

In reality, it's often comforting to know that all your expectations will be met and that no surprises are in store. At the movies however the unexpected is almost always a welcome visitor. But with the highly touted "Independance Day", the unexpected was never going to make an appearance.
On viewing this phenomenal blockbuster, I was greeted with exactly what I expected : complete schmaltz with an unimaginative storyline, one dimensional characters and a sight and sound show that sends you reeling.
Roland Emmerich ("Universal Soldier") and partner in crime/producer Dean Devlin have ground out a terribly manufactured, formulated script that is both derivative and dull, but who cares. The characters are all stereotyped and one can hardly begin to care whether or not they are blown up by spaceships, but who cares. What really matters is that "ID4" has delivered exactly what it promised, a visual display of mind blowing proportion, and an awesome sound effects show to back it up. The alien invasion is incredibly convincing thanks to the work of the f/x crew, with the definite highlight being the explosive destruction of several major cities. All this amazing cinematic genius adds up to pure escapism for the viewer.
Never mind that poor old Bill Pullman gets the worst role of his life as the young American president who is forced to deliver some of the most awful lines ever written for a lead player. Nobody else fairs any better, with Will Smith as the all American hero pilot who sees all of his dreams come true as he becomes a pseudo-astronaut and gets to save the world at the same time. And as the mathematical whiz who comes up with the ultimate plan to overthrow the enemy, Jeff Goldblum could be in danger of becoming stereotyped, though at least he had a little more to work with than most. Also starred Judd Hirsch, Mary McDonnell, Margaret Colin, Robert Loggia, Randy Quaid, Harvey Fierstein, Harry Connick Jnr., and Brent Spiner.
Although more than two hours in length, "Independance Day" never seems to over stay its welcome, but I wouldn't recommend more than one viewing. If you do decide to catch this f/x extravaganza, do so at the cinema, preferably one equipped with a THX or Digital stereo sound system. A knockout for sure, but never a lasting memory.
Sunday, October 13, 1996 - Knox District Centre