INDEPENDENCE DAY (1996)

I recently rewatched this as a part of my annual Independence Day on Independence Day tradition. The use of miniatures, practical effects, and puppets allow for a graceful aging of this movie. Had they chosen a more CGI-heavy route I doubt that this movie would hold up to a lot of rewatching, due to the way that late ‘90s CGI looked “gummy” (for lack of a better word). The movie follows a ragtag group of Americans as they work to fight a sudden alien invasion on 4th of July weekend. At this point in history, the most fantastical part of this movie is the president being played by someone as young as Bill Pullman.

The runtime is close to 2 and a half hours, but it cruises really well. There aren’t any dull or slow moments that make the pacing stumble. Everyone is in top form and the script does its best. I say that because despite what I said earlier, the lines about the kid’s ambiguous “medicine” always take me out of the flow. They explain he’s got an “adrenal cortex issue” way too late in the game. Who cares at that point. The dialogue tries hard to not overextend its PG-13 rating, which results in Jimmy (Harry Connick, Jr.) saying shit like “kissing serious booty,” which somehow sounds way worse. The characters are memorable, fun, and over the top. Also, everyone and everything is fireproof. Especially Boomer, one of the cooler dogs of cinema. 

I think the Wikipedia page for “swagger” should have the scene where Stephen (Will Smith) and David (Jeff Goldblum) walk away from their landed spaceship while smoking cigars as the ultimate reference point. Wow. The movie could have tipped into cheesy territory at any point, but the cast, effects, and pacing keep the movie fun and cool the entire run time. If you’re going to have a career peak, Independence Day isn’t a bad place to peak.

Food Recommendation: Nachos at a baseball game. Any baseball stadium, but make sure they serve it in those little helmet bowls. That’s what makes it fun.