Slam-bang sci fi

Rating: 10/10 (1 September 2004)

Technologically advanced aliens descend on Earth and in this one there's no real question about their intentions. Rare combination of excellent special effects, plot, dialogue and acting delivers on repeated viewings, actually, I think this has improved some with age. Career performances by Smith as Air Force pilot, Pullman as President, Loggia as gritty general, even Goldblum as quirky scientist (in a real stretch). Only drawback is some (I think unnecessarily) unpleasant moments with the bad guys mid-way through. This is really the 90's answer to the great sci-fi classics of the 50's. I am at a total loss as to the negative comments and the lousy IMDb ratings, it must be from that crowd that thinks Wet Hot American Summer is Oscar material. I mean it, it doesn't get better than this in sci-fi.