ID4 Accomplished All it Set Out to Do. No More, No Less.

Rating: 9/10 (16 August 2004)

Reading the other reviews, I cannot help but feel as though people are taking this movie and, in fact, the CONCEPT of this movie far too seriously. First off, let me come right out and say that ID4 is the best disaster film ever made. Say what you will about Towering Inferno, Airport, Earthquake or the original Godzilla, ID4 does it better.
The concept of the disaster film is, in essence, very simple. Have lots of characters representing many aspects of society and perspectives, all dealing with a common evil (be it natural, unnatural, supernatural, etc.) The idea is that people come together in times of crisis to confront a common foe. To do this well in a film requires a specific directorial touch in that, because the concept of the disaster film hangs on its multiple characters and, of course, the portrayal of the actual disaster, these elements must be rendered flawlessly. ID4 does this.
If there is one word to describe ID4's aesthetic, technical and directorial design, it's polished. The special effects, which were NOT cutting edge in the mid 90s (contrary to what most think) looked precisely right. There is really only one way to show a wall of fire rushing down a city, and ID4 pretty much nailed it. The result of using only what was necessary in terms of effects and nothing more is that ID4 STILL looks good, almost a decade later. Also, the writing is concise, funny and direct. Nothing is extraneous or boring. And as far as the characters go, each is given ample screen-time and kept track of throughout the film. This is harder than it seems and, actually, it's also the reason why Soderbergh's Ocean's 11 is as polished as it is. The characters are all kept track of properly.
So ID4 cannot be judged on its realism or any other extraneous factor. It is a marvelously entertaining disaster film. Of course it's oversimplified, of course it's not scientifically accurate. But that's why we go to the movies sometimes.