Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Independence Day: Resurgence - 1 1/2 smiles

After seeing "Independence Day: Resurgence," I have to wonder why some sequels get made. Especially when this feels more like an excuse for special effects (with very little plot). Returning cast members include Jeff Goldblum as scientist David Levinson, Bill Pullman as ex-Predient Whitmore and Judd Hirsch as David's grumpy father. Maika Monroe plays Patricia Whitmore, the president's grown-up daughter and Jessie T. Usher is Dylan Hiller, the son of Will Smith's dead character. Liam Hemsworth is Jake Morrison, a hotshot pilot.

The story is essentially an alien invasion (again) with bigger ships and guns and is supposed to be light summer entertainment. However, thinking of any kind will ruin this experience because it has too many implausible events. Sure, you suspend disbelief with this kind of movie, but when you have Judd Hirsch's character just barely speeding ahead of a huge tidal wave (he's in a small boat, of course) and he survives, you have to say, 'Come on. Really?' Director Roland Emmerich has stated that he plans to make a third Independence Day movie. To which I have to say, Come on. Really?

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