Independence Day

Switch off your brain, make a big bucket of popcorn for yourself, turn the volume up (there’s no point in watching it anywhere else but at either a home or a regular theater) and make yourself believe the misleading phrase “it’s a spoof" and, mainly, take it easy. If you manage to persuade yourself that it really is meant as a spoof then it is an excellent B-grade catastrophe movie with a huge budget and well known, but mostly terrible actors (with one exception of Will Smith, brimming with snappy lines) and it’s decently paced. On top of all that it’s too long and overflowing with American pathos to an extent that can be trumped only by Emmerich himself in his subsequent movies. (2005-04-22)

Independence Day is in a typically Emmerich vein, with this film being one of the first pieces to feature the director’s penchant for monster-scale visual effects, as well as the catastrophic-apocalyptic feel and the American heroism of the main characters. The cast was mostly likeable, the plot moved along, although twenty minutes less running time would not have hurt, and from a technical point of view it is a very successful achievement. In short, one of those films that is great for switching off the brain and unwinding. (2016-07-11)

“I steal, you steal, we steal.” Or how Emmerich and Devlin got together, dumped their brain concoctions into a common cauldron, stirred it properly and prepared an inedible slop. I turned off my brain and just wanted to have fun, but even a lobotomy wouldn't have helped. The massive avalanche of clichés and stupidity swept me away in such a way that I wouldn't want to repeat it. (2003-05-11)

Emmerich's hand broke off with a touch of pathos. Bill Pullman is completely off with his heroic president, Will Smith is embarrassing, Jeff Goldblum is as if he wasn't there - just a smaller overrated mishap. The undisclosed variation of War of the Worlds didn't work out and despite the gripping scene of the destruction of the White House, I have an aversion towards this film. (2006-01-26)

A visually stunning masterpiece with fantastic music and a likeable cast. The script is packed with action and there isn't a single dull moment, there’s always something happening, one twist after another, and some scenes are truly fantastic (Area 51, city destruction, the scenes after the apocalypse, etc.). In addition, Roland Emmerich brilliantly combines visuals with music in a way similar to Michael Bay, for example. The pathos must be taken with a grain of salt, and whether we like it or not, we have to admit that Bill Pullman has charisma. It's not smart sci-fi, it's popcorn entertainment, but damn well directed, well acted, and decently told. Overall, Independence Day is unequivocally Emmerich's best film, or rather, his only truly good film. (2005-09-04)