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Title: Independence Day (1996)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Will Smith | ... | Capt. Steven Hiller | |
| Bill Pullman | ... | President Thomas J. Whitmore | |
| Jeff Goldblum | ... | David Levinson | |
| Mary McDonnell | ... | Marilyn Whitmore | |
| Judd Hirsch | ... | Julius Levinson | |
| Robert Loggia | ... | General William Grey | |
| Randy Quaid | ... | Russell Casse | |
| Margaret Colin | ... | Constance Spano | |
| James Rebhorn | ... | Albert Nimziki | |
| Harvey Fierstein | ... | Marty Gilbert | |
| Adam Baldwin | ... | Major Mitchell | |
| Brent Spiner | ... | Dr. Brakish Okun | |
| James Duval | ... | Miguel | |
| Vivica A. Fox | ... | Jasmine Dubrow | |
| Lisa Jakub | ... | Alicia | |
On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. It is soon learned by the military that a number of enormous objects are on a collision course with Earth. At first thought to be meteors, they are later revealed to be gigantic spacecraft, piloted by a mysterious alien species. After attempts to communicate with the aliens go nowhere, David Levinson, an ex-scientist turned cable technician, discovers that the aliens are going to attack major points around the globe in less than a day. On July 3rd, the aliens all but obliterate New York, Los Angeles and Washington, as well as Paris, London, Houston and Moscow. The survivors set out in convoys towards Area 51, a strange government testing ground where it is rumored the military has a captured alien spacecraft of their own. The survivors devise a plan to fight back against the enslaving aliens, and July 4th becomes the day humanity will fight for its freedom. July 4th is their ... Written by Gustaf Molin <gumo@hem2.passagen.se>
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I enjoyed this movie, sure it isn't the most original movie ever made or the best, but it was what it set out to be...which is a combo alien attack movie of the 50's plus an all-star disaster movie of the 70's. A lot of critics don't like this one and a lot of people who think of themselves as critics don't care much for it either, but it still brought in over 300 million at the box office in the summer of 96. I thought it was an entertaining film with lots of action and a good dose of comedy as well. One complaint I have is that it runs a bit long and you feel the time pass not like other movies like "The Two Towers" where it doesn't feel like all that much time has passed. Another problem with this movie is that it is best seen in the theater. This movie has a score of only six at imdb, so a lot of people who saw it probably saw it on TV. Or if they did see it at the theaters, realized it just wasn't as good on the small screen when they saw it on TV. The movie also benefited from a great ad campaign that started with a super bowl spot that showed the White House being destroyed. The movie is basically an alien invasion movie and it is like a 50's science fiction movie. It also has a lot of stars, not the biggest names, just like a 70's disaster flick. If you don't care for either of these genres you probably won't like this movie, but if you like one or the other or both it is worth checking out. Just don't take it too seriously and have fun watching it.