Independence Day 2? - Part 1

[Octoberist]

Chicago Redeye says it would've made more sense for Hiller and Whitmore's kids to be an item since they were so close in the previous flick, but it's wasted on Hemsworth, lol.

You know..black and white. :,

 

[MadVillainy]

I know I was saying how it doesn't matter to me about the lack of screenings, but it was just brought to my attention that it doesn't even seem like theyre not even doing a press junket.

 

[terry78]

Well, I'll see tomorrow night. Shallows may do decent business but it's on nowhere near as many screens.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Well my brother called and said that he had a headache so we won't be seeing it tonight.

 

[Leenie]

I've seen the movie. Enjoy my ramblings

It's not very good. None of the new characters are particularly relatable or fun to watch. The story is a retread with a twist but without any of the charm. The CGI is great (except for some murky green screen) but it doesn't save the movie. Just like the first movie, this one doesn't have constant action going on. That's okay, if it weren't for the fact that the slow scenes are boring. Half of the movie is spent in those cliché dark war rooms. In fact, most of the movie is dark. The score is barely there, except when the theme comes up at the end.

The movie takes place in a more advanced version of 2016 which is an interesting idea (we used the alien technology to our advantage) but it takes the movie so far into sci-fi territory that the color palette and set designs are very stale. It doesn't feel like the world we saw in the first movie. The only people who keep us grounded in that world are the returning cast members. Goldblum has a healthy chunk of screentime but he doesn't do much of anything in that time. There's a new comic relief character that is cringe-worthy to watch. Emmerich creates "drama" by having characters make nonsensical decisions. Oh, and do you like that "we have to fly out of here, the door is closing and we JUST gut out in the nick of time" trope? It's used a hundred times here.

It surprised me how nonchalantly the movie treated this disaster. The movie pokes so much fun at itself (mostly through Goldblum and his in-movie father) that it self-detonates. The stakes are gone. We get obvious callback scenes with speeches that aren't nearly as convincing as the presidential one from '96 and old catch phrases are forcibly resurrected.

Lastly... this movie has the most obvious set-up to a sequel I have ever seen. Sadly for Fox, I don't think people will be clamoring to see more. I know the words are used to death but... this was an unnecessary sequel that nobody will remember à la Genisys.

Is the movie absolutely irredeemable? No, if you liked the first one, by all means go watch this. It's only 2 hours long.

Just got back home from seeing this with my fiance (because he LOVES the first movie; he was really, really excited for this sequel).

I'm going to say that I agree with the review. I don't think it's a good movie, but ... Eh. I don't regret watching it either. I had enough fun. Even though I don't think it's a good movie ... I have to say that I'll definitely go see the third one.

Theater crowd report: It was about half full. The audience was definitely into it. They applauded at the end.

Spoiler

My favorite moment of the movie was easily when everything EXCEPT for the White House was destroyed. I laughed really loudly at that. It was such a beautiful, schlock-y moment.

 

[Greens]

Thanks for your review, Greens, if you don't mind, just answer me this. does the movie end on a cliffhanger to hook the third one? I know Emmerich was planning this to be "part 1" of a two part story or something. If it ends on a "to be continued..." note I'll be peeved.

I don't know if I would call it a cliffhanger. The current "problem" is resolved so you do get a full story that way, but the last five seconds of the movie might as well have been a big neon sign saying "THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER ONE". I will say that the new one is going to break new ground, if it even gets off the ground.

It seems to me like you didn't think this was even that "fun"
Did you like the first one?

Yeah, I liked the first one. Great movie? No, but awesome effects work and likable characters. I did not have much fun with this new one.

 

[LostSon88]

I liked it. Not as much as the first but I had a good time.

Yeah the new characters were meh, the older characters were kinda wasted. Also I felt the movie moved at too fast of a pace, especially during the "quiet" scenes.

I was in awe of the 3rd act though. I thought the whole sequence was a total visual treat. As far as the 'twist' it's interesting but I really don't see anyone being particularly interested in seeing them go that route for another movie..

 

[Kyle]

I don't know the route, but if it's humans invade the aliens on their planet - I would absolutely freaking love that! Unsure if that's it, don't think that's it - if it is, beyond awesome. If not, somebody has to do a movie like that - that twists the whole thing around (and treats it seriously or popcorn action being the key (not animated family comedy)) in a very interesting and compellingly near original way - at least in the "they invaded us, so now we invade them" way deleting the whole peace love unity angle other films with that have used (Avatar).

 

[TheDreamMaster]

I saw it, and am pretty on the fence. On the one hand, we got way more alien ground action, which is all I was asking for. However, it felt rushed, and the new characters were all really bland. I won't say I didn't enjoy it though. That last minute had me rolling my eyes though.

 

[Broseph44]

Can someone put in spoilers what the end was.

 

[LostSon88]

I don't know the route, but if it's humans invade the aliens on their planet - I would absolutely freaking love that! Unsure if that's it, don't think that's it - if it is, beyond awesome. If not, somebody has to do a movie like that - that twists the whole thing around (and treats it seriously or popcorn action being the key (not animated family comedy)) in a very interesting and compellingly near original way.

Basically...

Spoiler

You hit the nail on the head. The end of the movie they pretty much hint that they're going to flip the script and go after THEM. Interstellar war.

 

[Kyle]

Basically...

Spoiler

You hit the nail on the head. The end of the movie they pretty much hint that they're going to flip the script and go after THEM. Interstellar war.

Awesome! Unsure why people would be against that.

Spoiler

because to my knowledge (unless it's happened in sci fi books) I can't think of even one film or TV show that has done that. Sure you have Avatar, but there it was more of a peace love unity angle taking focus. Has there ever been anything like that in other content that flips it without the "peace love unity" angle or animated family comedy angle? I can't personally think of one that goes that route. Plus I'd just really love to see their planet as well.

 

[LostSon88]

I think it'd be a cool concept if these new characters were more interesting, haha.

Seriously, I don't get what people see in Liam Hemsworth.

 

[Kyle]

I think it'd be a cool concept if these new characters were more interesting, haha.

Seriously, I don't get what people see in Liam Hemsworth.

So it's just one crew instead of a big fleet?

 

[Octoberist]

I saw it. I give it a C:

Brief musings:

- The first half was sloppy; the second half picks up the slack.

- The new characters are mostly awful. In fact, Thor's brother should've been cut out and let Will Smith's son take that role. And me being Asian, I can say the movie sorta panders to the Chinese market with some of the characters.

- The cinematography was bad. It's so dark and blue; you can barely see the actor's faces.

-
The CG is actually very well done.

- Brenr Spiner was the best character. He's more improving than Pullman.

 

[Octoberist]

I do like how they kept some of the other stuff a secret, leading up to the end and that one..character.

 

[LostSon88]

So it's just one crew instead of a big fleet?

I mean like there's a fleet but of course the focus was on Hemsworths character, Hillers kid, President Whitmores daughter, Asian Gal Gadot and some comic relief dude.

 

[Kyle]

Oh. K. So it's less the idea and more who's leading the idea. Unless I'm just the weird odd man out who thinks that concept rocks.

 

[LostSon88]

Oh. K. So it's less the idea and more who's leading the idea. Unless I'm just the weird odd man out who thinks that concept rocks.

Pretty much. I'd very much had been more into that angle had the original characters been the ones leading it...

But once you see the movie, you clearly see why that's not the case.

 

[Greens]

I was in awe of the 3rd act though. I thought the whole sequence was a total visual treat. As far as the 'twist' it's interesting but I really don't see anyone being particularly interested in seeing them go that route for another movie..

I have to admit, the scene where the [blackout]Queen is on land and chasing the bus[/blackout] conveyed a true sense of awe and scale.

 

[Leenie]

I have to say that my least favorite part of the movie was President Whitmore's daughter. I thought the actress was preeeetttty bad. Devoid of personality. And that battle cry she did near the end of the movie? Made me cringe.

I liked the other young actors though. I just wish they had been given a bit more to do.

 

[-JKR-]

I have to say that my least favorite part of the movie was President Whitmore's daughter. I thought the actress was preeeetttty bad. Devoid of personality. And that battle cry she did near the end of the movie? Made me cringe.

I liked the other young actors though. I just wish they had been given a bit more to do.

Surprising. I've loved Maika Monroe in everything I've seen her in so far.

 

[samsnee]

Can someone explain to me the appeal of Liam Hemsworth? His brother has more charisma in his pinky.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

There is no appeal to Liam Hemsworth besides him being attractive.

 

[Kyle]

People are gonna hate me for saying this.... I think the same appeal the Hemsworth brothers have is the same appeal Swayze used to have back in the day. Girls like him for obvious reasons, guys just find it cool when another dude can kick butt because they want to be able to kick butt too. In other words girls want to do him, guys want to be like him in some ways. These kinds of actors have been around for a long time.