The Special Effects are Ultimately the Main Thing To Look Out For

Rating: Null/10 (7 January 2000)

Independence Day is basically a movie in which the special effects are ultimately the main thing that's really worth looking out for. It used miniatures quite effectively (they probably work at best when it incorporates green lighting) as buildings practically shoot out towards the camera with a loud presence and the fighter jet sequences are perhaps highest point overall in this film but ultimately, that's about it, just a collection of hugh special effects. The story itself is shallow with an explaination surrounding the motives behind the alien invasion. The only character trait that's really interesting surrounding the aliens is their telepathy. But the movie only touches on that subject briefly in one scene. At the same time, the movie adds pointless and downright silly traits to the aliens i.e. their smell. You can also to a deep look into the dialog in Independence Day. The script is for the most part basically an assortment of one-liners throughout. It perhaps gives a small notion that it doesn't for the most part want to be taking very seriously or it isn't ment to be taken seriously because of this. Perhaps you can argue that this really provides relief in a story concerning the destruction of earth but at the same time, the writing just feels too lame. While the special effects are the highest point in Independence Day, they also in certain areas set an example of downright silly storytelling. Like for example, a action sequence involving a dog surviving an in-coming blaze. Or a scene in which a hugh alien is knocked unconscious with a single punch. This scene gives a notion that in spite of the fact that the aliens possess the ability to lay out a massive invasion, but they're unable to fight on their own (meaning without the use of any type of vehicle).