Review of Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) by Mark F — 16 Sep 2016

Normally when summer blockbusters are trashed by the critics I still kinda like them. At the very least, they have some entertainingly bombastic special effects and some good action. At the very least, they're not boring.

Until now.

Independence Day Resurgence is boring. And kinda slow. The characters are forgettable. The dialogue is really clunky. This means the stirring, defiant speeches set against a swelling orchestral score fall flat and feel contrived.

The worst thing is maybe the CGI. The CGI is awful to the extent that you begin to question whether good CGI actually exists. It's so unconvincing that it honestly pulls you out of the movie. Someone in their bedroom could make these effects.

One other thing. The idea that the President of the United States can behave as the self-appointed President of the World and make unilateral decisions on things that affect everyone without reference to some kind of international body is something I thought Hollywood had grown out of. It shrinks the movie.

The best thing I can say about it is that I considered turning it off after 30 minutes but in the end I hung on and finished it. So I guess it isn't so unbearable that it's not finishable. Plus they made a point of saving that dog from the alien queen when it didn't get on the school bus. Extra half star for saving the dog. Then again, why would an alien queen intent on destroying the planet be concerning herself with a school bus full of kids anyway? Like that's her priority.

Okay, I'm done ranting. Bottom line, it's not good.