Review of Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) by Mark M — 01 Mar 2017

Is Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) as bad as the critics say? No. Is it a good film. Well, no but it is not a horrible film either. Resurgence is just as silly as the original, perhaps even more so.

For example, Judd Hirsch's character somehow manages to drive cross-country from the U.S. East Coast to Area 51 in Nevada in a matter of hours. The real problem with Independence Day: Resurgence is the new, younger cast members are so bland.

In 1996, characters masked fear of extinction with naive arrogance (Will Smith, Bill Pullman) or plain, oblivious insanity (Randy Quaid). In this film, younger characters mask fear with even heavier doses of somberness.

It's boring. Liam Hemsworth is the only new addition who escapes the film with some credibility. Maika Monroe is a huge disappointment (especially after her performance as Ringer in The 5th Wave).

Jessie T. Usher as Will Smith's son is plain and awful. So it's left to the older, returning characters to inject some life (such as it is) into this film like Jeff Goldblum, William Fichtner and Brent Spiner.

Charlotte Gainsbourg as an older romantic interest for Goldblum's character is actually the most interesting new character. There is not nearly enough humor in evidence to keep a silly, popcorn film like this afloat.

Resurgence has five credits for the script. In keeping with the themes of Independence Day (everything plus the kitchen sink), when you have five scriptwriters, you might as well get five more and throw in couple of comedians as well.

The film needed the help. It's still watchable but... Mark's Grade: Two Stars.