Movie Review: Independence Day

Poster Art for Independence Day

Released: 1996

Genre: Action, SciFi, Thriller

Posted age rating: PG-13

My Rating:  5/5 stars

I currently base my reviews loosely around the CAWPILE system developed by Book Roast on YouTube. I modify the categories depending on the format of the story I’m reviewing.

My star ratings are purely by my opinion and not measured by any particular metric.

SPOILER WARNING: This review will contain spoilers! Proceed with caution!

Summary

The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.

Characters

All of the characters in this movie are awesome and they each play a role in the story. We have the inspirational president, who gives the best movie speech ever (fight me), the plucky fighter pilot, and the disillusioned genius. And, of course, the powerful women that back them. The older bush pilot starts off less sympathetic, but you feel for him and his family by the end. This movie is full of a lot of characters that have a lot of, well, character and fill in the world nicely.

Atmosphere

Proper end of the world panic and doom. But there is that patriotic spirit that refuses to let us give up when we can try new things and work together to figure something out.

Music

Some of the most inspirational, patriotic music you can imagine.

Plot

The story of how humanity refuses to give up and will work together to protect our planet. A great story with great characters.

Intrigue

It takes a lot of trial and error to figure out how to stop the invaders. We go from who are they to how do we stop them pretty quick.

Logic

Infect them with a virus. Makes sense to me.

Enjoyment and Final Thoughts

Okay, so this review is a tad skewed, as this is one of my favorite movies of all time. I watch it every year on the Fourth of July, our Independence Day. It will always hold a special place in my heart for the story, the characters, the actors, the music, and, again, the best movie speech you will ever hear and which cannot be bested.

(side note: I listened to said speech while writing this and still tear up every time.)

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely! If you haven’t seen this movie yet, go check it out as soon as you can.