Independence Day (1996) is a science fiction, disaster, and action film from the director Roland Emmerich. The movie revolves around the story of an extraterrestrial invasion that happens on the United States’ Independence Day, which results in a worldwide catastrophe. In this article, we will explore the plot of the movie, analyze its characters, and evaluate its overall performance.
Synopsis
On July 2, 1996, a huge spaceship from outer space containing aliens lands in Earth’s orbit. The spaceship releases several smaller aircraft, each 24 km long, which then fly to different parts of the world, mostly big cities. The captain of the American Air Force, Steven Hiller (Will Smith), is called for duty, although he was on leave. His girlfriend, Jasmine, takes their son Dylan Dubrow and leaves Los Angeles anticipating the worst.
David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), an IT specialist, cracks a code from the transmission and finds out about the impending invasion. He informs Whitmore, the President of the United States (Bill Pullman), who makes an emergency decision to evacuate New York, Los Angeles, and Washington DC. Unfortunately, the decision is too late, and the smaller aircraft from outer space fires a laser-like beam that devastates several cities, killing millions of people.
Whitmore, David, Steven, and a few others escape in the Air Force One while Jasmine, Dylan, and their dog Boomer hide in a basement. Whitmore explains what he has learned from the alien’s mind, which is their intention to exterminate humans so they can take over the planet Earth.
The movie follows the three characters mentioned as they try to save the planet from the alien invasion. They encounter several challenges, including the alien’s protective shields and the inability of conventional weapons to cause harm to them. The climax of the movie takes place on July 4, which coincides with the American Independence Day, and we finally see if they can save the planet or not.
Characters
The movie features several characters, but three of them play the essential roles. Will Smith is convincing as Captain Steven Hiller, the Air Force pilot who leads the fight against the alien invaders. Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson, the IT specialist, brings a sense of intelligence and humor to the movie.
Bill Pullman gives an outstanding performance as Thomas Whitmore, the President of the United States, as he portrays a leader facing a tremendously challenging situation. Randy Quaid, as Russell Casse, the dysfunctional crop duster, provides a sense of levity to the movie.
Overall Performance
Independence Day is known for its fantastic visual effects, especially the iconic scene of the White House being destroyed by the aliens. The movie effectively blends science fiction, disaster, and action genres in one cohesive narrative. The character development is top-notch, with the three main characters receiving the most attention. Humor, drama, and heroism are present throughout the movie, creating an engaging story with great pacing.
Conclusion
Independence Day is a classic movie that has stood the test of time. Its combination of science fiction, disaster, and action elements, together with its memorable characters, makes it a perfect movie to watch with friends or family. Will Smith’s charisma, Jeff Goldblum’s intelligence, and Bill Pullman’s leadership are just some of the reasons why this movie has become a beloved classic. If you want to experience a thrilling, captivating, and entertaining movie, Independence Day should be at the top of your list.
