Cast
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Will Smith
as Capt. Steven Hiller
Bill Pullman
as President Thomas J. Whitmore
Jeff Goldblum
as David Levinson
Mary McDonnell
as Marilyn Whitmore
Judd Hirsch
as Julius Levinson
Robert Loggia
as General William Grey
Randy Quaid
as Russell Casse
Margaret Colin
as Constance Spano
James Rebhorn
as Albert Nimzicki
Harvey Fierstein
as Marty Gilbert
Adam Baldwin
as Major Mitchell
Brent Spiner
as Dr. Brackish Okun
James Duval
as Miguel
Vivica A. Fox
as Jasmine Dubrow
Lisa Jakub
as Alicia
Crew
Director
- Roland Emmerich
Producer
- Dean Devlin
Reviews
isabellevillasenor
forever a classic!
Feb 9, 2021
Kamurai
Really good watch, would watch again, and can recommend.
It's Will Smith fighting invading aliens, and Jeff Goldblum being almost annoyingly smart.
The alien aspect of the movie and the story are all great, but there is also a lot of humanizing scenes to keep the audience reminded of for what the Terrans are fighting. I'm sure there is a supercut version that reduces the movie to 45-60 minutes of good old alien fighting and investigation, but it's nothing that's actually worth skipping.
If you're into alien invasion / apocalypse movies, then make sure you put this on your to watch list.
Mar 10, 2021
The Movie Mob
**Disaster or alien movie (possibly even action movie) - it just doesn't get better than Independence Day! This 1996 sci-fi action blockbuster is one of the greatest of all time!**
When you watch the mega-blockbusters of the 1990s and compare them to each other, it is easy to forget how groundbreaking they really were. Films like Jurassic Park and Independence Day were massively ahead of their time, winning all kinds of awards and launching cinema into a new era of special effects. But Independence Day is much more than effects: the directing, the writing, the characters, the cast, the story, the pacing; everything about this movie is the perfect storm of excellence, enthusiasm, and entertainment. It is rare to find a film that so perfectly blends action, adventure, comedy, horror, and sci-fi as beautifully as this movie. Will Smith was a promising new actor surrounded by high-caliber performances from Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. Seriously, we need to elect Bill Pullman's Thomas Whitmore as President. His speech to inspire the troops before the climactic final battle is among the most iconic in cinema history! Independence Day set the bar for alien invasion blockbusters and brilliantly told the separate stories of its main characters while weaving them together in the final act to save the world. Roland Emmerich knows how to do a disaster movie; this is his masterpiece.
Jan 21, 2023
Andre Gonzales
Very good movie. Funny as well with plenty of action. As they try to save the world from an alien invasion.
Jul 4, 2023
CinemaSerf
If you like your sci-fi full of gung-ho machismo then this one ought to cut the mustard. On the face of it, it is quite an engaging story of mankind uniting in the face of overwhelming odds - a sort of blitz spirit. There to save us all from the pending oblivion is Bill Pullman as the President, Jeff Goldblum as the scientist and Will Smith as the epitome of the American "kick-ass" air force pilot. The plot is terrible; the sentiment oozingly American and the script lacking in any kind of subtlety. This is still a good old lock 'n load action movie, just don't look for depth, or style....
Aug 27, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Adventure/Science Fiction film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Independence Day distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Roland Emmerich brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1996, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Independence Day took approximately 26 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $75.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 145 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 172 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 35 unique compositions.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1996, when this film was released:
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Independence Day shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Seedling, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Independence Day subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like DAN DA DAN: First Encounter and Landscape with Invisible Hand explore similar territory, Independence Day stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 25, 1996
- Runtime: 2h 25m
- Budget: $75,000,000
- Revenue: $817,400,891
Where to Watch
