INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE   1.5*****

           This is a sequel to the 1996 original 'Independence Day”,….. 20 years later. . Most of the original cast returns: Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, Robert Loggia, Brent Spiner and Vivica A. Fox. But since it has been 20 years, they are passing the franchise along to a  younger generation that includes actors:  Liam Hensworth, Maika Moore, Sela Ward and Wm Fichtner.  { FYI: Notably missing  is Will Smith and the rumor is Will wanted $50 million and they said NO !!} . As far as the plot goes it is very similar to the first., The alien technology recovered from the first victory 20 years earlier has been incorporated to improve earth’s defenses.. Also, earth has  bases on the moon, Mars and the moons of Saturn primarily to keep an eye out for any returning aliens. And, of course they do return, bigger and badder. Their mother ship lands on Earth and covers the entire Atlantic ocean !! And as before it seems like there is no hope for earth and extinction is inevitable.. But, maybe not ???????

In the original movie, which was made with a much smaller budget than this overblown mess, the effects seemed spectacular. This was due to the fact that at the time, they were primarily using practical special effects. Unfortunately this time round, there is an overuse of CGI. Some of it is admittedly excellent, but it is so lifeless, it just drains the film of any feeling.

The only actors in the film who gave good performances were Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. For me, Jeff Goldblum stole the show. Even the with the terrible script that he had, he made it work. This kind of weird manic dialogue is his bread and butter.  

Independence Day: Resurgence is in essence a sequel made purely for the profit, without the sizzle and humor that made the first film so special. The main culprit is the really bad writing, an awful script, and this is partly explained by the fact that there were 9 different script and story writers.  The sequel is inferior to the original in most aspects.   The characters are one dimensional, the story is generic and clichéd, the dialogue is weak, the film is incredibly dumb, but admittedly the special effects are amazing. In the end if you like lots of  action and want a couple of hours where you can just shut your brain off, then this may be for you…. a “popcorn movie” pure and simple.

Clark