Independence Day: Resurgence

[Hedji]

Well, I guess I'll be the lone ID4 fan. I love the original film, and all it's goofy patriotism, bombastic musical score, and over the top characters. It came at that time when we were all hungry for Star Wars style space opera, and the craftsmanship of the model effects still holds up today. It's funny that Emmerich is so associated with destruction p@rn, and yet ID4, the grandaddy of the modern destruction movie, actually features relatively little screen time of explosions and building collapse, when compared to, say Man of Steel of San Andreas.

I've got my tickets for a Tuesday matinee. Dumb fun? Okay, sign me up. Dumb and serious? No thanks. I'll let ya know!

But seriously, if you don't own the ID4 soundtrack, it's worth a listen. You'll marvel at how it was only 20 years ago that movies had rollicking, rousing, hummable scores.

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

Saw this last night. Fell to sleep through most of it, but the parts I saw I found very silly and boring. A very poor sequel.

[jwyblejr]

Made $46 million over the weekend. They're saying it did better overseas.

[Hector]

$46 million is below expectations...

China is quickly becoming the game changer at the box office globally. Movies can tank here in the States, but can be still be a box office hit if China embraces it. Look at the recent Warcraft movie, a bomb domestically ($43 million in 3 weeks of release, now in 11th place, and quickly disappearing), but a bonafide hit in China ($368 million).

Now movies can be a bomb domestically, but box office hits overseas.

[Nostalgiabuff]

Well, I guess I'll be the lone ID4 fan. I love the original film, and all it's goofy patriotism, bombastic musical score, and over the top characters. It came at that time when we were all hungry for Star Wars style space opera, and the craftsmanship of the model effects still holds up today. It's funny that Emmerich is so associated with destruction p@rn, and yet ID4, the grandaddy of the modern destruction movie, actually features relatively little screen time of explosions and building collapse, when compared to, say Man of Steel of San Andreas.

I've got my tickets for a Tuesday matinee. Dumb fun? Okay, sign me up. Dumb and serious? No thanks. I'll let ya know!

But seriously, if you don't own the ID4 soundtrack, it's worth a listen. You'll marvel at how it was only 20 years ago that movies had rollicking, rousing, hummable scores.

don't get me wrong, I love the original. it is short on plot but big on fun and that is what really matters. I have watched the original many, many times and was really looking forward to the sequel once it was announced. at this point, based on the poor reviews, I will wait for HBO or Netflix

[acrovader]

I know was kind of alone but I never liked the original at all. I found it by the numers product.

You're not alone. The first one was lousy.

[Mikey]

Think I might be one of the only people that never seen the first one.

[Hedji]

Okay, here's my (mostly) spoiler-free review:

4/5

Not as fun and fist-pumpingly patriotic as the original, and not as fresh. (But how could it be?) But dang, if I wasn't smiling and entertained to see so many of the old cast back. The exoskeletons are terrific, and there's a tremendous setpiece towards the end, which, while not breaking any new ground, is a helluva lotta fun to watch. Brent Spiner chews the scenery with surprising tenderness. Jeff Goldblum is still great, although I had some flashbacks of his return to the Jurassic Park franchise with his Lost World character. The young cast does just fine with what they're given. There's even a sidekick to Liam Hemsworth's character that is like Harry Connick Jr's role in the first one... but there's a twist I won't spoil with him, which got a big laugh out of me. Judd Hirsch... has not aged in 20 years!!! Don't know how he managed to freeze time, while the other original actors all show their two decades of aging. But he is, again, great in the role.

Best of all... the setup for part 3 is positively tantalizing!!! I just hope it does enough box office (C'mon, China, and overseas markets!!!) to get another final chapter made. Because they are hinting at spectacle the likes of which we haven't seen yet.

Make no mistake, this is not a thinking man's movie. Sure, there are massive plot holes. But I can't see how anyone wouldn't have a good time watching this flick. Pure summer escapism, and nothing more. And nothing wrong with that either.

I'll buy the Blu Ray.

Please, everyone go see this, so they make part 3.

[Godzilla]

I'd say I'd give it a 2/5. Pretty uninspired in general, but would pass the time watching it on cable on a winter weekend. The acting was markedly better than that in Warcraft, even if both plots were pretty terrible.

[Hector]

It's going to be a Redbox rental for me down the line...

[Makernaut]

Okay, here's my (mostly) spoiler-free review:

Judd Hirsch... has not aged in 20 years!!! Don't know how he managed to freeze time, while the other original actors all show their two decades of aging. But he is, again, great in the role.

Although, I wouldn't rate it is highly on a five point scale as you have, I think your review is pretty spot-on, as far as I'm concerned. I quoted your thoughts on Judd Hirsch because, like you, I thought he was great in the role.

I'd give the movie a 2.5 out of 5, but that's not to say I think it's bad. It's average and average can be enjoyable and fun. It was a passable, get out of the heat, summer movie.

[Mr.Marion]

I have no horse in this race, couldn't give two sh**s about this sequel. I just remember my holier than thou Aunt who was against all things Aliens and Supernatural for Religious reasons, justify taking her kids to this movie in 1996 saying "It's ok because the Aliens don't look realistic. "

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

^^ I love this.