Independence Day (1996)

Independence Day is a solidly America-centric sci-fi/blockbuster hybrid -- with all the goodies and groaners that implies. First, giant spaceships begin appearing over the cities of the Earth and blowing them away in spectacular gouts of cinema-searing flames, vaulting vehicles and so on -- and even then a golden retriever outruns a crispy demise! Second, Bill Pullman plays the President of the United States -- with more moxie than Kevin Kline in Dave, equal nonchalance as Michael Douglas in American President, but less grit than Harrison Ford in Air Force One. He's reunited through crisis some years after a falling-out with former best bud Jeff Goldblum, the science geek who outthinks the government's top-secret nerd force to discover what the aliens are up to and how to stop them -- and yes, it involves infecting them with a computer virus. (What sci-fi blockbuster ignores that little chestnut?) Goldblum's Jewish grandfather tags along and provides a schmutz of humor and faith during tough times. The trailers show the White House and Capitol buildings going massively kablooey but -- does the President survive -- or his wife and daughter? Will Smith as an ace fighter pilot brings an invigorating can-do and (literal) kick-ass attitude to the mix. ("I have got to get me one of these!") Brent Spiner plays the government's top-secret ubernerd to a tee. ("They don't let us get out much.") Humans go mano-a-mano against the aliens a few times and things get sticky. (Area 51 xenobiology lab: Come for the alien autopsy, stay for the carnage!) The plans for a counterattack are not foolproof either, however, a screw-loose cropdusting pilot proves his patriotism. ("I'm ba-ack!") America's Independence Day becomes Planet Earth's Independence Day because humanity (cue the prez's pep talk) "will not go quietly into the night!" Independence Day rallies America's heroes and common folk as in Space Cowboys and Armageddon but thankfully it's not as cheesy and overblown as Armageddon. (I didn't say it's not cheesy or overblown, it just has more good moments than groans.) Independence Day mostly succeeds as a sci-fi movie as well as a blockbuster -- pleasing fans from both camps in my opinion (since I straddle them myself). I'm always happy to catch it. 4 stars.