Fun

Rating: Null/10 (21 July 1999)

ID4 isn't meant to be a thinking person's movie. You don't hold life-altering discussions afterward. It IS, however, a roller-coaster ride with plenty of dips and loops to make it worthwhile. Roger Ebert described it as "silly summer fun," and that it is. Much of the story remains under-developed (I wanted to know where those beastly little b***ers came from) but the triumphant spirit in the end really is something.

ID4 also boasts an impressive ensemble of big-name performers. Will Smith demonstrates he's a darn funny guy. Bill Pullman carrys himself and his charisma much like the ideal President should--(and whether it's formulatic or not, you've gotta love it when he takes to the skies with the rest of humanity.) Brent Spiner--Star Trek's Data without the gold makeup, throws in a colored cameo as an underground mad scientist type. Harry Connick, Jr. is as suave as ever. Judd Hirsch is Jewish. And of course anything with Jeff Goldblum in it won't be a total loss. Also, watch for the actor who plays Mr. Nubicki (Bill Pullman fires him in the end.) I swear he's the biggest character actor in Hollywood today--he's everywhere! (Basic Instinct, The Game, several others I can't remember...)
I also liked the cute tie-in to Jurassic Park. When fleeing the Mothership, Jeff Goldblum repeats his same line from the dino-fleeing scene in JP: Must Go Faster! Who thought of that one??
A final note: Independence Day really is a decent film as far as action blockbusters go. You do develop some caring for the characters, and the idea of all humanity teaming up against E.T. from Hell is heartening. Watch Armageddon and you'll feel like nominating ID4 for an Oscar.