It can be summed up in one word

Rating: Null/10 (17 July 2001)

To tell the truth, I never actually meant to watch Independance Day. I borrowed the tape from my cousin for the South Park cartoons on the end, and Independance Day being on the same tape was just a bonus. Well, it seemed like a bonus at the time.
Indeed, the entire film can be summed up in one word: American. Aside from the storyline, I was intensely irritated by the Americanisation of the whole thing, to the point that I'm commenting on it first rather than any of the good features of the film.
So, the world gets attacked by aliens (actually, I think it's just America that gets attacked by the aliens, you wouldn't know that many other countries existed). Take for example, the two British pilots. "Oh jolly good, wonder what the Americans are up to?" Pardon me, but hardly anyone has spoken like that for fifty years. The sort of people who do speak like that would also hardly be likely to be flying a jet.
But, now that's out of the way, the special effects for the film are really very good, and the way the story unfolds works a treat. I especially liked the bit where Jeff Goldblum has the lap-top computer, turns it round and says 'The clock is ticking.' For atmosphere and script, that was brilliant.
But, then we move into the realms of ridiculous again, when we look at just how the alien ship was destroyed. It's laughable and pathetic, and makes Mars Attacks! look like a realistic future.
All in all, it's just too blatantly stupid to warrant a movie blockbuster. I know it will appeal to some people, but it just didn't appeal to me.
4/10 - I can see why some like it, and the special effects are good, but just too American, and the ending is awful.