Crude, but highly entertaining summer film

Rating: 7/10 (11 June 2005)

A series of large alien spaceships move to planet Earth and destroy the largest cities of the world. After the invasion, Earth, led by the United States, has no choice but to fight back. their first attempts failed, but the presence a computer virus renews their hope for survival as the countdown for 4 July-- US Independence Day-- begins.
Super-lick, witty sci-fi movie pulls out all stops. The all-too-familiar Alien Invasion plot is revived with a series of twists thanks to the eye-popping, Award-winning special effects (the spaceships are flawless!). The 3 leading characters steal the show and make the movie fluid and likable. David Arnold's unforgettable and sweeping score also contributes positively to the film's atmosphere (leading to nominations in a number of institutions). Randy Quaid is hilarious as the alcoholic Vietnam vet volunteering in the fight against the invaders. It also manages to sidestep Sci-fi clichès since there is NO single leading character that show the way to battle the Aliens.
But there are flaws as well: the human stories are very dumb and sometimes nonsensical; the movie is overlong and takes a while to get started, and the over-the-top patriotism in this movie sometimes gives the movie a slightly cartoonish feel. There is a high number of needlessly stupid and flat supporting characters.
Despite of that, the movie became the most successful movie of 1996, earning more than $300 million in the US and over $500 million worldwide. A must for sci-fi fans. *** stars/****