Independence Day Resurgence

Twenty years after the global catastrophe of the first alien invasion they’re back again. Things have changed on Earth, we are now suited up with alien gear and technology, meaning better guns and faster planes. But twenty years on, it’s the 4^th July and naturally they come. And come bigger!

The aliens come back armed with a 3,000-mile sized ship and start causing havoc. The ship is so massive it has its own gravity, on arrival it rips up London and then casts it onto Shanghai, really quite extraordinary! The only shame is the England football team don’t go along with them!

It’s great to see the old team back together and tackling the invasion for a second time. It’s back to the old style nostalgia of the 90s without trying to take it too seriously. Jeff Goldblum still hates flying despite being leader of the alien defence technology. Brent Spiner returns as the goofy old professor, who’s a bit of a crack pot. But one of the most satisfying scenes is seeing Bill Pullman pull on his old pilot gear. He manages to nail the part of old president still suffering with a bit of PTSD from the first alien invasion. Perhaps the only thing missing is the presence of Will Smith. Dylan Hiller tries to emulate the ‘close encounter’ line, but just can’t pull it off quite the same, although I doubt there are many who can!

Although there are plenty of old fogies, there’s also a bunch of new hero earth defenders introduced. Liam Hemsworth plays the role of maverick Jake Morrison who is engaged to Maika Monroe the president’s daughter. It is a shame really that the two sets of the cast don’t have more interaction together. Apart from a few obligatory father daughter scenes, they barely cross paths.

In terms of story line, there are a few weaknesses. The aliens have brought their mother ship, and along with it the queen. Her plan is simple, drill a hole to the bottom of the earth and suck up the core in order to power their ships and push along their technology. Simple right?

However, there is a way to stop her. A little white ball which looks conveniently similar to an Apple product is the key. Stored in this white ball is the knowledge of hundreds of other civilisations who have been wiped out by the aliens. It holds the secret to greater technology and a strategy to stop them.

Queen mother of the aliens obviously knows this and tries to destroy it, in it’s safe keeping at area-51. It is there the trap is laid and surprise, surprise Liam Hemsworth saves the day!

It’s a good film which is well worth a watch. Some of the visual effects are outstanding and like Goldblum says. ‘They always get the landmarks.’

My Rating: 7/10

Directors: Roland Emmerich     Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Maika Monroe, Dylan Hiller, Brent Spiner