Twizard Rating: 93

Rating: 9/10 (30 June 2016)

Roland Emmerich has his hands all over this film--which isn't a bad
thing. Up until July of 1996, the best special effects we'd seen were
still from Jurassic Park. But Independence Day came out one year before
Titanic, so it held the title that whole time.
And for good reason. It's so visually stunning that 20 years later,
we're still in awe of what we're looking at. It sure helps make this
film feel less dated.
Less dated. 20 years is long enough that we can say that, right?
Unfortunately, the schmaltzy dialogue doesn't help its case. It may
seem that most of the cast can't act, but that's just a result of a
marginal script (besides Vivica A. Fox, who, in fact, can't act).
Taking place around the fourth of July, a worldwide alien invasion is
imminent, and the country is in a true panic. Amidst the many
eventually-connecting subplots, the film concerns itself most with that
of pilot Steve Hiller (Will Smith) and computer-wiz David Levinson
(Jeff Goldblum). Both carry the film well and help provide levity to
lighten an otherwise dry-by-today's'-standards action movie.
Judd Hirsch plays Goldblum's father and has some truly brilliant
scenes. Harry Connick Jr. and Randy Quaid give us a little something as
well.
All of these attributes allow this film to hold up well. And it's even
more impressive despite its several pitfalls. It's a true product of
the '90s, and even where it seems dated, it's just enough to make us
nostalgic.
Watching ID4 again reminds us how amazing Will Smith's whole
underachiever schtick is, making us want it back again. Hopefully he'll
step away from his Oscar-worthy performances and give us a
well-deserved comedy one of these days.
Twizard Rating: 93