Saturday 8 November 2014

Review : Independence Day



INDEPENDANCE DAY
The aliens are coming. Their plan is to invade and destroy. Fighting superior technology, Man's best weapon is the will to survive.

In terms of starting off with an idea and developing story concepts, Independance Day takes after the ideas presented in 'Childhood's End'. I look at the premise of that book and think 'wow that's a good idea' then to see those ideas communicated in a visual perpective on screen is also very applealing, especially when you develop key speculations from various primary resources such as the book, the story, the ideals behind that idea etc.

As far Independence Day stands, the story is an Alien Invasion plot, On the 2nd of July, communication 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.

Here's a clip


I have to say though, I  was more than a little disappointed by this special effects laden piece of mediocrity. 
Sure, the film has an interesting, diverse choice of cast and the world's most famous monuments being blown up. But despite all of that,  the lack of story is appalling and what's left is a hodgepodge of bad one-liners and over the top exagerated course of emotional contempt. Were parts of it exciting, fun to watch? Absolutely. Was some of it funny? Yes, because of Goldblum, Hirsch and Quaid. Is Smith a great action hero? I would say so in his favour, yes. He has a wonderful mixture of physical strength, keen intelligence and an awesome sense of humor, all on display here. His presence is what makes this film at all watchable.

The production tries to infuse heart into this film by giving the leading men love troubles, but what that does is just dilutes from the main point of the film – to defeat the alien menace. I don't think if the fate of humanity was really on the line they'd be worrying about their love lives. 

If the aliens win there is no future. It's as simple as that,  so stop pandering to the ladies in the audience and get back down to business. I know concern about their own families is supposed to bring the horror of the situation home, but if you can't feel sorry for the millions who die initially, what's one more death supposed to do? As long as the film focuses on the action, it's entertaining. The rest of the time, it's a bit hit and miss, it's just soppy sentimentality which detracts from the interest of the course to effect in the story.

However, if you like your sci-fi loud and without much of a plot to get in the way of the visuals, then Independance Day is the film for you. If you're a Will Smith fan, then Independance Day is the film for you, if you like alien invasion schemes turned up to 11, then Yes, Independance Day is the film for you. Looking back on it, I think it's ok. I thinks it's all right. Very easy viewing and contempary, not that complicated for the mind to understand and the effects are little below par. 6/10

NEXT : Intersteller

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