Check brain at the door and you'll love it

Rating: 6/10 (17 April 2005)

I think this is one of those movies that, by virtue of it's sci-fi and technological nucleus, gets the kind of intellectual analysis it does not need or deserve. It's schlock. It's stupid. And it's a hell of a lot of fun. Some thoughts-
1.) The blatant rip-off of Star Wars and other sci-fi films is laughable yet forgivable. It still works.
2.) I don't think for a second the director, writers, or producers, had any intention at any step of the way to create a serious sci-fi film on any level. They wanted to create an entertaining sci-fi film.
3.) If the "Yay! America saves the world!" subtext is too obnoxious or offensive or overdone to some I say so what? I don't see anything wrong with it. In fact I love it. And I believe the vast majority of the audience did as well.
4.) The film has a lot of problems that require you to check out of reality for a little while. Once you do that you're fine.
5.) I've never seen so many instant fighter pilots step out of so many RV's in my life.
6.) Apple laptops can't upload viruses to alien motherships.
7.) A feel good sci-fi flick is not so without a cute kid wearing a baseball cap backwards.
8.) The battle scenes between the alien fighters and the FA-18s are perhaps the most cool ever.
9.) Sitting U.S presidents don't lead air attacks. Just ask our current one.
10.) This is a poorly written and poorly directed piece of budget bloated summer blockbuster crap. But it's still fun. Sometimes you really shouldn't care.