Independence Day: Resurgence Review!
The sequel to 1996’s ‘Independence Day’ is now out in theaters nationwide. The new film features a recurring cast from the first film with big names such Jeff Goldblum reprising the role of scientist David Levinson, Judd Hirsch as David’s father Julius Levinson, and Bill Pullman as President Whitmore who gave the famous Independence Day speech. Will Smith is not in Resurgence and was written out as having died in a training accident. However, there are plenty of new stars such as Jessie T. Usher playing Dylan Hiller, the son of Will Smith’s Captain Steven Hiller, there is also Liam Hemsworth playing pilot and Dylan’s rival Jake Morrsion, Morrison is dating former president’s daughter and fellow pilot Patricia Whitmore as played by Maika Monroe.
In the movie, it’s been twenty years since the attack. Earth has been preparing for the return of the hostile alien since then. Using the technology from them to both improve Earth’s weapons and everyday life. But the aliens have come back after receiving a distress signal from one of its fallen ships. Now it’s up to both generations new and old to defend the earth from the returning threat. The movie includes great special effects with both the alien technology and extreme large scale destruction. It does a decent job of juggling the large scale cast, and the stakes are always made clear. Either our heroes win, or the whole planet dies.
I saw the predecessor to this movie with my parents because we had all watched this movie countless times on VHS and loved it for the fun campy movie it is. That’s the exact same approach it’s sequel deserves. This is a big, blow-em-up, fun summer movie that isn’t meant to be serious. The characters don’t get much in the way of development, the new society and how an alien invasion has impacted. It isn’t as significant as it should be but this movie really isn’t about it’s plot. This movie is about nostalgia, funny one liners, watching things explode. If there’s one bone I truly have to pick with the movie, is that the emotion wasn’t there. In the 1996 movie, I cared a lot more about the characters and felt my heart rise and fall with their failures and successes. That’s what this movie lacked, and I hope they bring back with an further sequels. Other then that, if you want to go to theater and get out heat to watch a fun movie about blowing up aliens and saving the day, then this is the movie for you.
