Movie Review -- Independence Day: Resurgence

Today we have the sequel to the 1996 movie Independence Day. Is it as good? Let's find out.

Taking place exactly 20 years after the first film, this one shows us the world after mankind defeated the aliens and jacked their technology, creating a much more advanced and unified civilization. However, David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), the man who figured out how to defeat the invaders the first time, travels to Africa to inspect an intact city destroyer. As it turns out, the vessel has begun broadcasting a distress signal to its people out in the cosmos.

Soon a 3,000-mile-wide ship arrives and attacks Earth's lunar outpost (the aliens must be drunk because it smashes across the surface of the moon like the universe's biggest pebble across water) before heading to our planet where they land on a huge chunk of it. President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) tries to warn everyone, but it's too late. Now the aliens begin attacking mankind anew, and this time, it seems nothing may be able to stop them. But never underestimate David Levinson; with a new generation of fighter pilots, he just might be able to figure out a way to win.

Meanwhile, David's father Julius (Judd Hirsch) gets knocked out trying to escape the landing ship and is saved by (presumably) orphaned children. He decides the best course of action is to find David, so they drive across the country to Area 51. But this might put a wrinkle in David's plans...

I was a huge fan of the original Independence Day back in 1996 when I was in the sixth grade. I've seen it many times and even drew fan art. The movie redefined epic and was shot on a scale previously unheard of. It just kicked so much ass.

Flash forward to 2016. We have basically the same deal, and while it's not a bad thing, it fails to capture the revolutionary spirit of the original. Don't get me wrong; I like this movie. But it's pretty much more of the same. If you're a fan of the original, you'll like this one. You just won't be blown away like last time.

But before you start accusing me of hating on this film, I would like to mention what's good about it. I like that they brought back many of the characters from the first one and we get to see how they've grown (or grown old). Also, we learn more about the mysterious invaders (and even another alien race which I won't spoil). And it successfully sets up a third movie (which hopefully won't take 20 years to make).

Bottom line: Independence Day: Resurgence is a fun film which won't blow you away.