Review - Independence Day

Independence Day is, in many ways, the perfect film.

Now, let me explain myself.

Independence Day is not really a very good film. I wouldn't even put it on the top 10 list for its year. But, along with The Matrix, Princess Bride, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it is perhaps the most entertaining film I have ever seen. And after all, isn't entertainment the primary goal of a movie? If you just sit back and watch the movie, without searching for reasons to dislike it (plot holes, underdeveloped characters, unrealistic sequences of events, cliches), Independence Day is one helluva ride.

Just what makes it so fun? Let me count the reasons...

Special Effects. Watching the White House or Empire State Building blow up is simply fantastic. The wall of flame ripping through New York is incredible. Thousands of alien and human aircraft duking it out around one of the large alien ships. The escape from and destruction of the mothership. All of them absolutely jaw-dropping, especially at the time of release. Independence Day is the de facto modern mass destruction movie, and virtually birthed the subgenre.

Action. The action sequences are exhilarating and well-spaced.

Will Smith. Throughout his career, Will Smith has been alternatively irritating and hilarious. Along with Men in Black, Independence Day is one of his few 'nails it' movies. I don't care if he's not Tom Hanks or Jack Nicholson or Dustin Hoffman, this guy is fun to watch in this movie.

Humor. It's not a comedy, but the there is enough understated situational and physical comedy here to keep you chuckling through the slower moments.

Bill Pullman. Is it just me, or is the most enjoyable movie president ever? And yes, that's including Anthony Hopkins' Nixon. My eyes still tear a little during Pullman's corny but well-delivered 'Independence' speech.

The Trailer. Okay, this doesn't really factor into the film itself, but it should be mentioned that Independence Day has one of the best trailers of all time. At the time of its showing, the teaser's shot of the white house blowing up was the most impressive and shocking 'blow up' shot ever. Anyone who saw the trailer HAD to the movie. The full-length trailer followed it up with the arguably more impressive shot of the Empire State Building's demise.

So, in the end, I would give Independence day something of a B, but an A+++ for enjoyability.

By the way, Men in Black is a nice companion piece. It has a similar premise, but is a far superior film in terms of filmmaking quality. It is funnier and just as enjoyable, though lacking in Independence Day's epic scope and special effects.