Welcome to the Galactic Theater, where we'll explore the works of master manipulators of light waves, examine the themes brought to play, and critique the final products of months of hard work.
Welcome to the Galactic Theater, where we'll explore the works of master manipulators of light waves, examine the themes brought to play, and critique the final products of months of hard work.
This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the movie.
That said, on to the review!
In 1996 America saw the end of civilization as we know it appear in the guise of mysterious alien beings. America also saw the beginning of a new chapter in human existence when, on July 4, the people of the world united in a last effort to defeat the alien invaders. I thought it only appropriate to honor such a blockbuster movie as Independence Day by reviewing it and posting it on July 4, 1998.
It all starts when the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Installation at New Mexico detects a strange signal coming from outer space. At first there is exuberance at detecting evidence of extra-terrestrial life and caution that it is a false alarm. Then, however, there is confusion as the scientists pinpoint the source of the signal as the moon. Operatives at the Pentagon also learn of the signal and share SETI's confusion about its point of origin. They however, have additional intelligence: the source of the signal is a large object roughly a quarter of the mass of the moon...and it's slowing down!
The Pentagon contacts the President. He, in turn has the responsibility to tell all of America. He cautions the nation against panic and fear even as three ships take up position over three major American cities: Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. itself. At the same time, thirty-three other ships are taking up position over other major world cities: Moscow, Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Sydney, and others. Reaction to the aliens differs. Some people, such as those in Russia, flee in terror. Others use the chaos caused by the ships' appearances to loot and destroy, as in New York. And others, such as those in Los Angeles, welcome the visitors from outer-space with open arms and parties atop the highest skyscrapers in the City of Angels. In the capital, however, the nation's leaders are trying to determine the motives for the visitation. There is little they can do, however, because their normal information resources--the many satellites orbitting the earth--are unavailable.
David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) is the "chief consulting systems engineer" for a major New York cable company. He is the first one--the only one--to interpret the strange signal responsible for fouling up communications and broadcast around the world. He makes his realization and immediately heads to Washington to warn the American public in general, but his ex-wife, Connie (Margaret Colin) in particular. They had a falling out when she began working with presidential candidate Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman). He is a former fighter pilot who entered politics and is preparing to run for a second term. Connie is now Whitmore's communications director and his most trusted confidante. What ever differences they had in the past--David once punched the president before he became president--they must put aside as Levinson institutes a mad scramble to evacuate the targetted cities.
Across the nation in formerly smoggy Los Angeles, Air Force Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) returns to MCAS El Toro, recalled from leave and forced to abandon Jasmine Dubrow (Vivica A. Fox), the woman he wants to marry, and her young son Dylan. Hiller becomes part of the first American counter-offensive against the Los Angeles invader when it levels the city. His squadron, however, fails in its mission, unable to penetrate the strange shielding protecting the spaceship and the smaller attack craft that swarm out of it. Hiller is the only one to survive because he leads the alien tailing him through the gauntlet of the Grand Canyon and succeeds in forcing the craft from the air. His success results in the capture of a live alien.
Meanwhile, President Whitmore, his daughter Patricia, Connie, David, David's father Julius (Judd Hirsch), General William Grey (Robert Loggia), Secretary of Defense Albert Nimzicki (James Rebhorn) and a handful of others escape the destruction of Washington in Air Force One. They don't know what to do until Nimzicki reveals the existence of Area 51. They travel there and learn that the aliens attacking the planet aren't the first of their kind to visit Earth. At the same time, Captain Hiller is making his way towards the same place with the assistance of Russell Casse (Randy Quaid), a Vietnam veteran who believes he was abducted by aliens. In Los Angeles Jasmine makes her way to El Toro, in the process rescuing the First Lady, Marilyn Whitmore (Mary McDonnell) amid the wreckage of the copter she was flying in when the aliens attacked.
One by one the various parties arrive at Area 51...including the aliens! A failed nuclear strike over Houston puts David into a destructive mood, but a chance phrase from his father's mouth triggers and idea to defeat the aliens. Now it is up to everyone, military and civilian alike, to work together to put his risky, one-chance-only plan into effect. While they're preparing, the impending arrival of the aliens at Area 51 looms ever closer and ever larger in everyone's minds.
By now, two years after its first release in movie theaters, I'm sure the majority of the American public has seen Independence Day whether in the movie theaters, on cable stations, or on videotape. Still, I have to say this: this movie is awesome. Never mind the all-star cast who made it all work. Never mind the spectacular special effects that marked the alien's entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Never mind the amazing aliens themselves. If you ask me, the major pull for this movie were all the subplots that underlay the "war of the worlds" plot. It was the emphasized struggle of ordinary humans to make their lives work in the face of terrible odds that really caught me. There were romances that remained present throughout: Hiller and Jasmine, David and Connie, Whitmore and his wife (one of the most impressive scenes I've ever seen in movies was the hospital scene). Not once was there a moment when the production staff lost sight of the mortal struggles that must also take place while the military prepares to do its thing. Connie's fear for the safety of civilians above ground and Major Mitchell's (Adam Baldwin) immediate response were plus-points with me. The most memorable scene of all, however, and up there with the ending of Casablanca for me, is the President's speech just before the world's final counter-offensive gets underway.
You can purchase Independence Day on videotape at just about any video store you got to.
Perhaps you'd like to know about the books related to the movie. Well, say no more! Just click here for my review of Independence Day, the novel, and here for my review of Independence Day: Silent Zone, the prequel to the book and movie!
Interested in buying this video? You can! Just follow the link to order the VHS version. You can also visit the Stellar Video Store for other titles.
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