1/2
USA 2016
Opening July 14, 2016
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Writing credits: Nicolas Wright, James A. Woods, Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich, James Vanderbilt
Principal actors: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe
If you saw Independence Day you will not be disappointed, and not having seen it makes no difference. The writing team took pains to preserve the backstory, culminating on the American Independence Day, July 4, 1996, and join it with the present. Since the War of 1996, harmony exists worldwide with global powers universally collaborating: an Earth Space Defense is established. ESD scientists develop, then refine hybrid anti-Alien technology. Multinational teams man space protection stations. U.S. President Lanford (Sela Ward)—first female officeholder—assumes her responsibilities with worldwide support; everybody recognizes a future Alien invasion possibility.
I.D. characters/veterans return: President Whitmore (Pullman) suffers from Alien Residue Condition, i.e. barmy but still has grit; serious, droll David Levinson (Goldblum) is ESD’s first Director; Levinson’s eccentric dad (Hirsch) is trapped in the crosshairs again; a still peculiar anachronism Dr. Okun (Spiner) with even more wild-hair suffers from ARC, and Jasmine Dubrow Hiller (Fox) now saves lives. Twenty years on, the new fighter pilot breed includes the swaggering hotshot, heroic Jake (Hemsworth) and Legacy Squadron leader Dylan (Usher), tough big hearted Patty (Monroe), wisecracking Charlie (Travis Tope) and tough-as-nails Rain (Angelababy). Commander Lao (Chin Han) heads the moon base; imposing, educated African leader Dikembe (Deobia Oparei) is an Alien survivor with ARC that Dr. Marceaux (Gainsbourg) treats. Rounding out the topmost newcomers is: Secretary of Defense Tanner (Patrick St. Esprit), General Adams (William Fichtner), Sela Ward as Langford, and living their script Nicolas Wright as the federal accountant Rosenberg and James A. Woods as second-in-command Major Ritter.
Director-writer Roland Emmerich acknowledges computer-generated imagery technology advancements eased executing spectacular cosmic scenes. Sharing Emmerich’s sci-fi affection, Production Designer Barry Chusid and Cinematographer Markus Förderer vivify the universe; Adam Wolfe does a colossal job controlling its vastness that Thomas Wanker’s music accompanies. A slew of international CGI studios and animators join to create celestial grandeur the 3D augments. Independence Day: Resurgence is lustig, roguish entertainment, and its making supported 15,000 jobs. 121 minutes ()