Review of Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) by Sagar J — 18 Apr 2017

Two decades on wards, two decades of technological improvements in special effects, then, come the release of the long-awaited, long-halted disaster movie sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence.

For a director like Roland Emmerich, whom was highly committed and devoted to his work of the original 96' Independence Day, due to his fascination with 70's disaster flicks, like 1972's The Poseidon Adventure and 74's The Towering Inferno, he is very out of style for sequel-buff.

Like its predecessor, Resurgence suffers from lack of characterization, underdeveloped plot, weak and appalling dialogue and new cast leading ,members not worthy of making any impression. Bill Pullman is in fine shape for his reprisal of former President, Thomas Whitmore. As is Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson, now director of a defense programme, which protects earth's atmosphere from any galactic intruders or shall we say, from returning alien invaders. Brent Spiner and Judd Hirsch are also in fine condition as the undead Dr Brakish Okun and Julius Levinson. New cast member William Fichtner is also well cast as Gen. Adams, but the movie suffers from new performers like Liam Hemsworth, Jessie T. Usher, Sela Ward and Maika Monroe.

Given it's awful story and premise, the visual style isn't even enough to put the audience in the mood for sequel-buff. It's a total downfall from the Oscar-winning 96' Independence Day, which garnered an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

Resurgence is a complete mess and it's huge drop at the worldwide box-office compared to the 800 million dollar success of its predecessor, makes the chances of a third installment highly unlikely, and the chances of a franchise of spin-offs, sequels and crossovers totally unbearable.