Independence Day

1996 • 144 minutes

About this movie

On July 2nd, communications systems worldwide are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. First thought to be meteors, they are later revealed to be gigantic spacecraft, piloted by a mysterious alien species who have set out to launch an attack throughout the globe. On July 3rd, the aliens all but obliterate New York, Los Angeles, and Washington when a band of survivors devise a plan to fight back against the enslaving aliens. On July 4th, humanity fights for its freedom.

Ratings and reviews

Awesome in 1996, and despite aging a LITTLE bit (only the CGI barely - the physical effects are still top notch, much like Jurassic Park!), this movie is STILL a perfect guilty pleasure harkening back to the cheesy B-movies of the '50s with just a dash of realism to make it feel epic in scope, and to let us hop in, have a hell of a time, and kick some evil alien arse! "WEL-KUM TA ERF!" **CRUNCH** (The other reason it's so good? The SOUNDTRACK. This guy, David Arnold? If you know SHERLOCK (2011), STARGATE (both movie and TV theme), James Bond (Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day, Casino Royale [2006], Quantum Of Solace) then you KNOW this guy is in the same club as John Williams and Alan Silvestri! Just watch Tomorrow Never Dies' pre-credits intro scene and just TRY not to get pumped up!)

You can’t call yourself a Sci-Fi fan if you have never seen Independence Day

I'm not American, but during the final act of this movie, I wouldn't have minded being one.