Independence Day

The film that replaced “Speed” as my favorite film when I was a pre-teen was “Independence Day” (This was before my love of films grew to the extent that today, I can’t choose just one favorite film). Today, it is still one of my favorite science fiction flicks and it is my favorite film that was released in 1996. I remember first seeing it when my parents rented it. "Independence Day" was the first movie to create a commercial specifically for the Superbowl during post-production. Ever since, because of the film's success in the summer of '96, advertising campaigns for various summer movies are kicked off with Superbowl ads. Ronald Emmerick and Dean Devlin made a cool but intense science fiction/disaster film with unforgettable images, noteworthy scenes and fun performances. I am also fan of Emmerick & Devlin’s “Godzilla” and “The Patriot”. “Independence Day” blew me away but not just because of the amazing special effects or the story. I love the cast also, particularly Will Smith. The film wasn’t a complete critical success and I understand the negative criticism towards the film. Having said that, I enjoy this film so much and it is always entertaining.

The story is based around a fascinating idea: what if you woke up to find alien ships in the sky. The scale of this film is appealing with how huge the destroyers are and with how the whole world reacts on July 2nd before the attack begins. The film introduces most of the characters in an interesting way. We meet them in relatable situations such as waking up in the morning or playing chess and we are unfamiliar at first with their relation to other characters or their occupations. For example, we meet the first family and it looks like a typical family phone call. We also don’t know that Will plays a fighter pilot until after his introductory scene. The way that the major and minor characters realize that this July 4th holiday will be different is handled well both on paper and on camera. The film is effectively divided into three parts for each of the three days that the film takes place. They resemble a three act opera just like the original “Star Wars” trilogy and also the “Back to the Future” trilogy. July 2nd contains introductions & the crisis moment of the story, July 3rd is filled with exposition & a thickening of the plot and fittingly on July 4th, we have resolution. All of our players end up together at Area 51 but I like how it is almost by accident. Will meets up with Russell and his family and Will leads the caravan to Area 51 even though they don’t know that the president is also there. David and his father tag along with the president to the base and on July 4th, all the characters split into unlikely teams to execute the plan whereby they win the day. I like films where we have a team of people that are different from each other but seem made to work together. Will and Jeff go to destroy the mother ship and Russell follows the president into battle. You can tell by watching “Independence Day” that Devlin and Emmerich are sci-fi fans and there are subtle & obvious references to other space movies besides “Star Wars”. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” is visually shown on the Casse’s TV and just like on “War of the Worlds”; the aliens are defeated by a virus. Okun is played by Brent Spiner from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. “E.T.” is referenced by Will but also the alien hand in the operating room forms the same shape as ET’s hand when his finger glows. HAL from “2001: A Space Odyssey” is heard when David starts up his computer and there are subtle references to “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” such as when the primary weapon is being prepared to fire and portions of “Operation Welcome Wagon” resemble moments at Devils’ Peak. The great thing is that now “Independence Day” is inspiring other sci-fi films.

As mentioned, there are so many memorable moments and visual effects in this film. We can thank the military for not agreeing to help with the film due to the reference of Area 51. Because of that, this film had to increase its number of special effects and the quality of them, as they could not film real fighter plans and other military machines. The breakthrough that “Independence Day” has in the history of special effects is the amount of compositing and as a result, the film won the Oscar for visual effects. The opening scene is very well done and the mood of the film is established immediately. Patriotic feelings are produced as you see the flag and hear Neil Armstrong’s voice read the plaque left on the moon accompanied by David Arnold’s score. The music then changes its tone as falling moon dust interrupts our viewing of the plaque and the astronauts’ footprints start to disappear. We then have a reference to the opening scene of “Star Wars: Episode IV” as the alien ship comes into view. This scene institutes the feelings of heroism and tension that the film will come to be known for. Also, there is irony in this opening sequence. The moonlanding sight is the spot where humans visited another celestial body "in peace for all mankind" but passing by this historical place is another ship that is not coming in peace. Just like on “Enemy of the State”, there is a coincidental reference to September 11 when the timer on David’s computer reads 9 minutes and 11 seconds. The destruction that occurs on July 2nd is quite impressive and believable. The shot of the White House blowing up is probably one of the most important special effects of the 90’s. The scene where Will brings down the ship chasing him is so much fun because Will verbally taunts the other pilot. The music also helps make the scene a blast. We are further entertained as Will celebrates his little victory with more taunting. I love the Dr. Okun’s line: “Now come the really icky part.” Spiner very humorously delivers it in the scene where he is operating on the alien and I can't help but think "I don't believe that man's ever been to medical school." It is quite fascinating a few minutes later to have the President talking with this alien. Usually in these kinds of movies, we have a moment of first contact between man and alien. This scene is unique because we have a world leader talking to a random alien. The exposition scenes in this movie are well done and enjoyable to watch but none more so than when David presents his plan on the morning of July 4th. The end of the movie contains many intense scenes that you can’t help but cheer while watching them. Russell ends up nobly saving the day and the scenes with Will and Jeff Goldblum are awesome. I love the scene where we enter the mother ship because now we are in the aliens' world and on top of that, we are sneaking in. This scene and the music accompanying it contrast the scenes where Will and Jeff reveal themselves and escape, making things even more hilarious and intense.

Will Smith and many of those in the supporting cast make this movie funny and cool. The characters are relatable in this film and that adds to the appeal of the experience. We have broken and secure families. Geeks like the character of David while everybody loves Will. I used to be not a huge fan of “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” (because Urkle was more entertaining for me) so “Independence Day” made me a fan of Will Smith. Bill Pullman became more noteworthy to me because of this film. The cast of characters each brings something needed for this movie and they come from all parts of the country. A team of characters in a film needs to be have variety in their personalities and backgrounds as evidenced in “Star Wars”, “The Lord of the Rings” and “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”. Will Smith brings enthusiasm and hipness to the character of Steven Hiller as well as to the whole film. General Grey offers a convincing and commanding military presence while Russell humorously represents the losers and lower class. Julius Levinson is also funny but in a different way. Finally, Spiner’s is great as the informal and eccentric Dr. Okun. Will and Jeff Goldblum create a funny, unlikely team because their comedic styles differ from each other. The improvised scenes between them are some of the best in the movie as well as those between Jeff and Judd Hirsch, who plays Julius.

There are some flaws in the story such as why the Casses would be wide awake in the same time zone as Hiller, who hasn't gotten out of bed yet. The biggest plothole that everyone mentions is how easily David is able to upload the virus to the mothership when we can't even get a Mac-formatted flashdrive to work in a PC. David did have a lot of time with the fighter at Area 51 so it is plausible that he figured out how to communicate with the mother ship through the fighter. Adventure stories need humor but also anxiety and drama. “Independence Day” delivers all this and with flying colors. I understand the off-putting criticism but I still get such a thrill from watching this movie. Will Smith is cool, the special effects are epic and the story is captivating. The supporting cast is great and the film includes memorable moments. The musical score is one of my favorites also. I heard rumors about a sequel for years but finally, "Independence Day: Resurgence" was released 20 years after the first film. Emmerick & Devlin returned as well as many members of the original cast but it was a let down. Hopefully the original film's appeal will last because that is what I want most.

4.5 Stars