Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’

7/3/2022

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ Courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

The disaster film is an American staple of cinema. These are motion pictures that manage to take us on one incredible ride by creating a feast for our eyes, by showing us the impossible and they often times find a way to draw tears from our eyes with their grand and sweeping stories. Yet despite the fact this genre of film is often a giant success at the box office, it features stories that are often forgotten after their run-in theaters, and in reality, only a handful have managed to stay in our hearts and withstand the test of time.

One such film from this genre that has stayed with us over the years is 1996's Independence Day. This is a disaster film that remains a beloved favorite to this day for so many reasons. It transcended the genre by adding sci fi into the mix and it's memorable and lovable characters helped add a magical charm along with a sense of fun to the story as well. The movie did so well in theaters that a sequel was inevitable, but rather than simply churn one out, Director Roland Emmerich let the idea for a second entry in the series simmer on the back burner and now...twenty years later that story has finally arrived with Independence Day: Resurgence.

The plot we won't spend much time breaking down today for several reasons. For starters, this is a film that is best experienced in theaters with a group of people because there are some pretty incredible moments that play with your emotions, so we will be avoiding spoilers for certain and second, we already have a pretty solid understanding what the core of the story is about; the vicious aliens that nearly destroyed earth in the first film have returned to finish what they started. So, what truly needs to be discussed today are two key elements when it comes to this story. Is the movie any good and does it manage to hold a flame in the slightest to the beloved original?

So, with that in mind, let's get right down to the big first question...is the film any good? Absolutely, in fact it's a blast. Resurgence does one great thing when it comes to the story, it keeps the fun going. There is plenty of action and adventure to satisfy the audience through and through and truly, it's a blast to see a good chunk of the original cast return to reprise their roles and see what kind of people they have become after (as the film refers to it) The War of 1996, and the utopia that mankind has built after the War of '96 is a beautiful one to say the least. To imagine an alternate timeline where 2016 features a planet free of war and petty differences is simply wonderful and, in a way, I wish the film had spent a little more time on that.

That's important to mention and discuss because that leads us right into the second important element regarding this film... whether or not it holds a flame to the original and well, the answer to that question is yes and no. From a standpoint of the scope and power of the action sequences, it buries the original. The ships are bigger, the aliens meaner and that does raise the stakes for humanity in this film, yet at the same time, Resurgence is missing a key critical element that we found in the first film...charm. One of the reasons we hold the original so near and dear to our hearts is because of the fact that we were instantly drawn to the colorful characters and their respective journeys.

That's simply not here in this entry of the story and that's a shame because it's clear that Roland Emmerich made this second chapter in the saga with the expectation to become The Empire Strikes Back of the story; that dark and disturbing chapter where the characters go through hell to see the light of day and there are moments in this film that accomplish that with some heartbreaking and tear inducing moments from the characters that you frankly don't see coming. Yet, despite all that effort to take us on a darker journey, the focus on action and adventure over character development is what hurts this story more than it should.

However, despite the film's flaws, Emmerich and company deserve kudos for trying to do something new with the sequel to such a beloved film and that's really the biggest takeaway for anyone planning on seeing it, go in without expectations. Just clear your mind and enjoy the ride because this really is a different kind of story, one that is clearly setting the stage for a grand finale and one that more importantly, is entertaining and fun. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll hoot and holler at the breathtaking actions sequences and that's all you can really ask for; because that's exactly what all of us were doing when it came to the first film, which makes Independence Day: Resurgence a fun popcorn film that's absolutely worth seeing.

Watch ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’

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