Entertaining Blockbuster

Rating: 9/10 (14 April 2007)

Independence Day is fun and fast-paced. In many ways its the perfect Hollywood blockbuster. It involves a battle between good and evil and has a clever mix of action, romance and comedy. The characters are smart, brave and likable. It helps if you have a mental age of about 14 and don't take it too seriously. Overall, the film has a good story, superb production values and some impressive explosions. It has the obligatory, feel good ending and will probably be regarded as a Hollywood classic in twenty years time.
Bill Pullman plays a U.S. president who has to deal with a alien invasion. The president was a pilot in the First Gulf War and his war record propelled him to the presidency (sic). The president tries diplomacy but soon discovers that the aliens are hostile. Many cities are destroyed and people die in large numbers. The Earth's military forces initially take a beating, but America finds a way of fighting back. This is mainly down to the nerdy genius of Jeff Goldblum and the bravery of Will Smith, a cocky marine pilot. On the eve of the final battle, President Pullman rallies his troops by giving a speech that recalls the patriotic St. Crispin's Day speech from Shakespeare's Henry V. With no irony whatsoever, Pullman depicts the Brits and the aliens as interchangeable evildoers.
There are various romantic sub-plots. Smith is in love with a stripper with a heart of gold (Vivica Fox). Goldblum is still in love with his ex-wife, the president's press secretary (Margaret Colin) The film has excellent scene stealing performances from a large supporting cast, including: Quaid, Judd Hirsch, Mary McDonnell, Robert Loggia and Brent Spiner. This film is very entertaining and mindless fun.