Writer/Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum
‘A Breathtaking Blockbuster’
Few movie-stars with a strong will to succeed are as beloved as Will Smith. Following his rise to stardom in the 1980’s, Smith has proven to be one of the finest actors in the film industry. With his larger-than-life personality, charisma and commanding screen presence, Smith has gained a massive fan following. I’ve always been a fan of Smith and admire his movies. However, recently his career enduring disaster. In 2021, Smith attracted controversy when he slapped an actor at the Academy Awards ceremony. A shocking incident, it changed perceptions of an actor which was once considered to be an icon in entertainment. Ever since, I have found it hard to watch the actor’s movies tainted by a real-life controversy.
Before his career declined, Smith was once a great movie-star whose films shined. During the 1990’s, the actor appeared in memorable movies. I was particularly blown away by his performance in the film “Independence Day”. I’ve never appreciated disaster movies but “Independence Day” stands out as an exception. Released in 1996, Roland Emmerich’s movie found Will Smith showcasing his abilities for portraying characters with larger-than-life personalities. An intense, gripping and thrilling blockbuster, the film captured a catastrophic alien invasion disaster. Boasting breathtaking special effects, strong storytelling and terrific performances, it’s a bold disaster blockbuster. At the centre of it all is Will Smith, who delivers one of his greatest career performances in an iconic role. Although “Independence Day” is undeniably entertaining, ultimately it isn’t a flawless movie. It lacks compelling character development, building towards a conventional conclusion. Nevertheless, it offers exhilarating entertainment fans of disaster movies won’t be able to resist.
Set during the 4th of July holiday, “Independence Day” tells a story of an alien invasion that comes with a painful price to pay. Will Smith portrays Captain Steven Hiller, an army veteran that is hired to prevent an alien invasion that causes destruction. Steven is excited by the prospect of embarking ona adventures to prevent alien disasters. However, Steven’s life forever changes when he discovers dire consequences of an invasion putting lives in danger. Assisted by the satellite scientist David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), Hiller embarks on adventures. Facing destruction, Steven questions whether he would survive an alien invasion.
Roland Emmerich is fascinated with disaster. Known as the master of disaster, the filmmaker has thrived at making films about catastrophic disasters. Before “Independence Day”, Emmerich was known for his renowned movie “Stargate”. With “Independence Day”, however, Emmerich made his first ever alien invasion blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture alien invasions which cause disaster, but he succeeded. Through strong cinematography, Emmerich captures a world reaction to alien invasion disasters. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes as breathtaking as frightening aliens seeking to terrorize. Emmerich effectively uses reaction shots capturing citizens in a world reacting with terror towards a catastrophic alien disaster. Whether it’s reactions of astonishment, shock or wonder, reaction shots capture individuals’ reactions to alien disasters. Reaction shots elevate the scene where Steven Hiller first witnesses an alien spaceship with terror. Using commemorated visuals, Emmerich creates an alien invasion that’s terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “Independence Day” is the practical effects. For a film made in the 1990’s, the visual effects in the film have aged incredibly over time. Emmerich expertly uses practical effects to create exhilarating alien invasion action. For instance, practical effects enhance the White House explosion scene. During this memorable sequence, the White House becomes engulfed in flame being the target of an alien invasion that’s frightening. One appreciates breathtaking practical ffects which bring an alien invasion to life. Practical effects are tricky to use in disaster movies. Most disaster movies are driven by CGI rather than practical effects. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Moreover, the musical score is another aspect of “Independence Day” that I adore. David Arnold’s commemorated musical score is key to the film’s success. It captures the tension of alien invasions causing severe repercussions. Through awe-inspiring production, Emmerich captures a world that’s ravaged by a life-threatening alien invasion causing destruction.
One appreciates astonishing performances. In the star-studded cast, every actor shines and leaves a lasting impression.
Will Smith delivers one of his greatest career performances as Steven Hiller. Smith gained appreciation for playing an action hero in the “Bad Boys” franchise. With “Independence Day”, however, he took on hsi first role in a disaster movie. It isn’t easy to portray an army veteran seeking to survive an alien invasion causing a painful price to pay, but he succeeded. Through riveting expressions, Smith captures the angst, courage and determination of an army veteran which embarks on missions to prevent an alien invasion. It’s a phenomenal performance that launched the prosperous career of a celebrated movie-star in the world today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of praise. Jeff Goldblum is fantastic, capturing the dedication of a skilled engineer devoted towards his career that’s driven to protect his planet from an alien invasion that’s a painful burden to bear. Bill Pullman, is brilliant, bringing humanity to a confident president that reacts with astonishment to an alien invasion that shows a strong commitment to guiding his country during a frightening incident. Finally, Judd Hirsch deserves praise. As a funny father, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Despite its powerful performances, however, “Independence Day” falls short of the standards set by the best alien invasion blockbusters. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a compelling story. Emmerich’s decisions to focus solely on the spectacle of alien invasions is bold but it leaves no room for any character development. The film lacks characters that are compelling. For instance, Steven Miller is a formulaic action hero without any compelling backstory. We’re barely given strong reason to care about Steven beyond the fact that he’s played by a renowned actor with a prosperous career. The best disaster movies thrive based on compelling characters, and in this regard “Independence Day” falls short. Moreover, the movie lacks a compelling ending. It’s a formulaic conclusion without any satisfying resolutions. Whereas this ending enhanced Tony Scott’s “Top Gun”, it clashes with the tone of this movie. Therefore, “Independence Day” can’t quite live up to the standard set by the greatest disaster blockbusters.
In the end, “Independence Day” is a fun but formulaic blockbuster that captures an alien invasion disaster. A breathtaking blockbuster, it’s an admirable film that celebrates the legacy of a strong-willed actor.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic film that launched the career of a strong-willed actor saving the world from an Independence Day alien invasion disaster, it’s a riveting reminder of a movie-star that became successful gaining a fan following by portraying diverse characters whose prosperous career built by making memorable movies about catastrophic disaster deserves to be celebrated that has created a long-lasting legacy fans will forever treasure even when his reputation has been destroyed by controversial public behaviour.
3.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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