Sci-fi crowd pleaser

Rating: Null/10 (10 April 2003)

INDEPENDENCE DAY (1996) ***1/2 Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith, Robert Loggia, Margaret Colin, Vivica A. Fox, Mary McDonnell, Harry Connick, Jr., Judd Hirsch, Randy Quaid, Brent Spiner, Harvey Fierstein, Adam Baldwin, James Rebhorn. Special effects laden blockbuster sci-fi action packed juggernaut about alien invaders in colossal space ships aiming to wipe out all humankind on Earth with death rays on every city perfectly set on the Fourth of July. B-movie soul with a massive budget and great ensemble of colorful (and at times cardboard) characters that make for fun and one helluva good time that will have you cheering as plucky president Pullman (`Nuke em!'), genius Goldblum, and maverick jet fighter pilot Smith - in his star-making role  join forces to `whup E.T.'s ass!' Best bit: The White House being blown to smithereens!