Independence Day 2? - Part 1

[TheVileOne]

In 1996, you didn't have movies like ID4 coming out every week.

 

[moviefreak]

Sound like a stinker --if people were saying that it was awful.

The original ID owes it existence to Will Smith, and to a lesser extent the spectacles of wholesale cities/monuments destruction. It was also a novel variation of Arthur Clarke's 1953 book, 'Childhood's End' with the aliens being malevolent instead of benevolent . The sequence with the descent of the giant spacecraft almost looked like Emmerich ripped from Clarke's book. At that time I wondered if Emmerich had read it and used it in the film.

 

[Kyle]

In 1996, you didn't have movies like ID4 coming out every week.

True, but also:

1) The movie came out during the height of the X-Files.
2) There wasn't an alien invasion movie like it prior to 1996.
3) There wasn't a huge movie dealing with attacking UFOs, Area 51, monuments blowing up, and huge explosions like this prior to 1996.

It wasn't just huge due to being an action blockbuster, there were other factors at the time as well surrounding it - it was that there weren't really others like it; the closest match in "recent" years I'd say is 'The Avengers.' A big part being in the 90s - aliens ruled the roost as it were.

This is why I'm not expecting to have the same reaction to it, when it came out it was huge. I'm expecting JPIII, but would be more than thrilled with JPII.

'Mars Attacks' came later - December, and was typically seen as the weird freaky rip-off cousin.

While Will Smith was an aspect and seriously took off from it, unsure due to history and what age I was in how big or small a role he played in the original's box office run since he was just starting to branch away from being seen as only a rapper and TV actor. Before Independence Day, he was popular - after, that's when he was everywhere.

 

[TheVileOne]

You are right on all counts Kyle. There weren't a lot of movies like ID4 at all when it came along. If anyone remembers that summer, ID4 was basically THE cool movie of the summer to see.

 

[Gold Samurai]

Reactions seem to be getting out. Independence Day is without a doubt the worst film I've seen this year, it's spectacle is only a shadow in what is the most muddled, horribly acted, nonsensical film I've seen in quite a while. The writing is bad. I mean bad.

Besides the spectacle who's the main draw star?

Goldblum?

1/2 of a Hemsworth brother who hasn't proven himself to helm a successful movie by himself

If the big brother can't do it on his own(Thor movies) What chance does Liam have?

It's like a bunch of B level actors with no leading star

 

[TheVileOne]

Well the original didn't really have a big star either. At the time of 1996, Will Smith was still a fairly unproven box office commodity. It helped make him into a star though.

The biggest names of the original were probably Bill Pullman or Jeff Goldblum and they weren't really big box office stars either.

In 1996, I probably would've loved to have seen this sequel.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Will Smith may not have been a movie star but he had already received critical acclaim for his performance in Six Degrees of Separation, he lead his own hit sitcom that showed how funny and charming he could be and he co-lead Bad boys in 1995, which showed that he had movie star charisma on the big screen.

Liam Hemsworth seems like a nice fella and I have nothing against him but when has he shown charisma to lead a big ridiculously silly movie like Independence Day?

He was by far the weakest actor in the Hunger Games movies and was like the third lead out of the young cast. Showed virtually no command of the screen in those films. His starring vehicle, Paranoia, didn't exactly garner him good reviews and it flopped hard. He's only 26 so I'm not writing him off but I don't see him bringing what similarly aged Will Smith brought to the original movie.

 

[Kyle]

I don't see it as him replacing Will Smith any more than Julianne Moore replaced Alan Grant (or if you want to be more gender specific, any more than Julianne Moore replacing Laura Dern and Vince Vaughn replacing Sam Neill). While there is a pairing or a groupling going on (like in 'The Lost World') similarly to 'The Lost World' I don't think they're aiming for the same buddy dynamic between them. Especially since in an interview...

Spoiler

Hemsworth said that his character is basically an orphan, I believe his parents died in the war of '96. Which then would typically mean Goldblum's taking on the role of an almost surrogate father with legendary ties to that event. Or more of a master/apprentice, father/son relationship than similar-aged friends laughing and smoking a cigar together. In that case I'd say it makes Hemsworth more like an older masculine non-biological Vanessa Lee Chester (played Malcolm's daughter) than Will Smith's Steve Hiller.

'The Lost World' being a very apt similar movie (surprised more articles and etc. don't mention it) since similarly it takes Goldblum's supporting character (or part of a greater whole in an ensemble piece) and makes him the lead.

 

[LostSon88]

Well the original didn't really have a big star either. At the time of 1996, Will Smith was still a fairly unproven box office commodity. It helped make him into a star though.

The biggest names of the original were probably Bill Pullman or Jeff Goldblum and they weren't really big box office stars either.

In 1996, I probably would've loved to have seen this sequel.

People are really over-estimating Will Smith's impact on getting audiences into seeing the first ID4. Yes he was known and popular from Fresh Prince and his early rap career but he didn't really become a box office draw until the year after when MIB came out...

As far as this one? I'll be there opening day. ID4 is and will always be a childhood favorite of mine, flaws and all. I've dreamed for a sequel since I was 11 years old. So yeah, i'm going in with rose colored glasses.

 

[TheVileOne]

Will Smith may not have been a movie star but he had already received critical acclaim for his performance in Six Degrees of Separation, he lead his own hit sitcom that showed how funny and charming he could be and he co-lead Bad boys in 1995, which showed that he had movie star charisma on the big screen.

Liam Hemsworth seems like a nice fella and I have nothing against him but when has he shown charisma to lead a big ridiculously silly movie like Independence Day?

He was by far the weakest actor in the Hunger Games movies and was like the third lead out of the young cast. Showed virtually no command of the screen in those films. His starring vehicle, Paranoia, didn't exactly garner him good reviews and it flopped hard. He's only 26 so I'm not writing him off but I don't see him bringing what similarly aged Will Smith brought to the original movie.

Regardless, there still wasn't a big name or draw attached to the first film. Yeah you had Smith, but he wasn't really a bonafide movie star yet.

People are really over-estimating Will Smith's impact on getting audiences into seeing the first ID4. Yes he was known and popular from Fresh Prince and his early rap career but he didn't really become a box office draw until the year after when MIB came out...

As far as this one? I'll be there opening day. ID4 is and will always be a childhood favorite of mine, flaws and all and i've dreamed for a sequel since I was 11 years old.

Just show me a good time, that's all I ask.

I think you are right. What got people into the theater the first time was that teaser of an alien space ship blowing up the White House. At the time we just didn't see stuff like that.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

The Lost World wasn't a good nor particularly entertaining follow up...I don't think anybody should be copying that formula. I don't think Goldblum worked as the lead of one of the Jurassic Park films.

 

[TheVileOne]

If this film did similar business to Lost World, Fox would be doing backflips.

 

[LostSon88]

I think you are right. What got people into the theater the first time was that teaser of an alien space ship blowing up the White House. At the time we just didn't see stuff like that.

It was everything, the marketing was absolutely on point. FOX really did a great job emphasizing this as an "EVENT MOVIE" that everyone had to see.

There's a lot of nostalgic memories that I have with this franchise...

 

[Kyle]

The Lost World wasn't a good nor particularly entertaining follow up...I don't think anybody should be copying that formula. I don't think Goldblum worked as the lead of one of the Jurassic Park films.

I liked it and enjoyed it a lot. Was it as good as the first? No. I would say it's the second best and tied with Jurassic World, imo. The first was original, completely new, offered completely new concepts, and showed something that was never seen before - so there is literally no way you can follow something like that up and have it be as good or better, all your trump cards are already played. So, I'd say it was a good follow up in that it offered a lot of entertainment value for me. I'd be thrilled and over the moon if ID4 2 is JPII quality, expecting JPIII - but I would be over the moon if it is JPII-ish.

With that said, I enjoyed an Ian Malcolm led JPII more than the Alan Grant led JPIII. And Goldblum's character is actually my favorite from the first, so while Will Smith's character is missed - it doesn't feel as live or die by that to me. I'm actually more concerned about Hirsch having a very small couple scenes role than Smith's absence actually because that's the father/son dynamic that I loved a lot in the first movie - it just feels so true to life to me. My favorite characters are back: David Levinson (the character I really related to a lot, even as a kid, in reality we're all neurotic and nerdy), President Thomas J. Whitmore (the coolest movie president to ever grace the screen, period - he gave excellent speeches and he kicked alien butt!), and Dr. Brackish Okun (a very zany crazy scientist bringing to mind in a sense the crazy black and white scientists or 'The Lone Gunmen' from The X-Files). After those, I'd say actually Randy Quaid's character - offered amazing comedy relief and a lot of the heart to the movie. I'm a kid who comically never sought out the Will Smith action figure for this film, rather Jeff Goldblum's character and still have it to this day.

 

[TheVileOne]

It was everything, the marketing was absolutely on point. FOX really did a great job emphasizing this as an "EVENT MOVIE" that everyone had to see.

There's a lot of nostalgic memories that I have with this franchise...

Then I recommend you do NOT watch this Half in the Bag review of the original

[YT]4_LJGPph4SM[/YT]

Seriously, I don't agree with most of it. It made me kinda angry.

 

[StormC]

Good thing I have no childhood attachment to ID because I do love my Half In The Bag.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I never said that Smith brought people into theaters to see ID4, of course he didn't. I said that he made a silly movie more entertaining and watchable. Sorry but Liam Hemsworth is not going to bring that kind of energy. And Jeff Goldlum didn't bring people into theaters either and unlike Smith never has. I love him but that's the truth.

 

[LostSon88]

Then I recommend you do NOT watch this Half in the Bag review of the original

[YT]4_LJGPph4SM[/YT]

Seriously, I don't agree with most of it. It made me kinda angry.

Oh trust me, I wont.

Thing is as an adult i'm well aware of the issues the movie has and I totally get people ragging on it. I just don't care. This movie, like so many other childhood favorites, gets a pass for life from me, haha.

I'm inclined to give Resurgence that same type of pass so long as I end up enjoying it...

 

[TheVileOne]

I'm also aware of the film's issues. But it's just a case of them being too minor for me to care. I will argue until the end of time that ID4 is just one of those perfect movies that works on every level and despite it's flaws and cheesy elements it still works perfectly.

It's the popcorn movie that makes you feel really good while watching it.

 

[LostSon88]

I'm also aware of the film's issues. But it's just a case of them being too minor for me to care. I will argue until the end of time that ID4 is just one of those perfect movies that works on every level and despite it's flaws and cheesy elements it still works perfectly.

It's the popcorn movie that makes you feel really good while watching it.

Agreed. It's just...FUN.

For us anyway, haha.

 

[Kyle]

I'm also aware of the film's issues. But it's just a case of them being too minor for me to care. I will argue until the end of time that ID4 is just one of those perfect movies that works on every level and despite it's flaws and cheesy elements it still works perfectly.

It's the popcorn movie that makes you feel really good while watching it.

Exactly. I mean this scene is cheesy as hell, but it's one of my all time favorites:



"In the words of my generation, up yours. Hello boys, I'm baaaaaccck!"

It's funny, it's fist pumping heroics, and it's sad all in a span of less than 3 minutes. Cheesy, yeah, but very cinematic. I love movies that don't take themselves too seriously and just have fun with it. To me, that's part of the magic - escapism.

 

[Crosswind Ghost]

Besides the spectacle who's the main draw star?

Goldblum?

1/2 of a Hemsworth brother who hasn't proven himself to helm a successful movie by himself

If the big brother can't do it on his own(Thor movies) What chance does Liam have?

It's like a bunch of B level actors with no leading star

I guess you can say Goldblum, I love the man unquestionably, but the majority of his use in this film is reacting to occurrences one after another. It's a waste. Hemsworth is someone i have always been indifferent about, i wouldn't say his performance's have been terrible, just average. This is a terrible performance, his character has all the usual action hero tropes, but it's done with so little effort, and the dialogue is painful to get through. Now i would like to point attention to Jessie T. Usher, i have no idea how he got the role, and i don't know if its the writing fault, but his delivery is quite amateur, he doesn't have as much screen time as Liam, but there isn't an ounce of charisma between them. There is a scene where

Spoiler

Where They're attempting to save Jessie's mom from a collapsing building via helicopter, and it was so laughably bad. More debauchery Jeff Goldblums father has a side plot where after surviving a major tsunami, picks up a van with a bunch of orphans, i won't go much into it but holy ****, this film feels like an eternity to get through, i imagine a good 5 minutes was cut seeing the official runtime.

 

[Kyle]

Although we completely differ on the first and will undoubtably differ on this film, Cross. Who's the lead? If Goldblum, would you say it's as similar in size of him being the lead in JPII? And does Hirsch have more than only a couple of small scenes (role similar size or only slightly smaller than the first)?

To those who similarly loved the first, a quick google search - found 2 novels that came out as prequels to the first film!

 

[Silver Surfer]

IGN: 8/10

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2016/06/21/independence-day-resurgence-review?read?read

 

[Kyle]

IGN: 8/10

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2016/06/21/independence-day-resurgence-review?read?read

A silly, cheesy, spectacle-driven blockbuster with heart, Independence Day: Resurgence is a refreshing antidote to the grim and the serious sentiment we’ve seen trending in sci-fi flicks of recent years. While its plot is messy and it’s stuffed with too many characters, I dare you not to leave the theatre with a guilt-free smile on your face.

Yep, I'm gonna love it.

Gamespot... I'm guessing they'd give it a 6-7? There's no number attached, bounces - basically fun but out-shadowed by the first.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/independence-day-resurgence-review/1100-6441069/

Flickering Myth.... unsure if I'm reading it right, it's either 2/4 or 2 as a film and 4 as a movie/escapism? "ID:R is ridiculous. Enjoyable, infectiously optimistic ridiculous."
http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2016/06/movie-review-independence-day-resurgence-2016/

Stuff... 2 1/2 out of 4
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainmen...2908/Movie-Review-Independence-Day-Resurgence

Den of Geek... 4 out of 5
http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/independence-day/41199/independence-day-resurgence-review

GQ Magazine... no out ofs, BUT "wild, entertaining and utter nonsense."
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/independence-day-resurgence-review

I'm confused, what happened to no critic screenings and no reviews? Unless 6 (so far) have broken said contract of not posting reviews (4 of them are .coms - that's in-states (I think)). If FOX went "screw the film critic snobs, give it to the 'nerd' critic sites to spread that word first, phenomenal play because these are the sites I cared about (IGN, Den of Geek, Comic Book Resources, and ComingSoon).



"In the words of my generation, up yours. Hello boys, I'm baaaaaccck!"