ndependence Day: Resurgence - A Pale Echo of the Original
A lackluster and spineless attempt to evoke nostalgia for the “glory days,” more focused on special effects and explosions than on logic, physics, or genuine human connection.
Twenty years after humanity’s triumphant victory over an alien invasion, Earth has entered a new era of unprecedented unity and technological advancement. The planet has been united, interstate conflicts have been eradicated, and alien technology has propelled scientific progress to unimaginable heights. Humankind has conquered gravity and developed powerful new weapons to defend against future threats. But the peace is short-lived. An unknown object approaches Earth’s lunar defense station, unlike anything seen before. Is it friend or foe? The people of Earth choose not to take any chances and attack the alien ship, igniting an intergalactic war in which Earth is destined to be at the epicenter.
.jpg “Scene from “Independence Day: Resurgence””)
The sequel’s budget triples the original film’s production costs ($200 million versus $75 million). The 1996 “Independence Day” grossed ten times its budget at the box office.
The Legacy of the Original
Roland Emmerich’s “Independence Day” was more than just a high-quality spectacle; it bridged the gap between the somewhat naive blockbusters of the 80s and 90s and the large-scale epic productions of the 2000s. Would “The Avengers,” “The Dark Knight,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and other titans of modern cinema exist as we know them if Emmerich hadn’t dared to shake America with the ruthless on-screen destruction of its iconic landmarks? The original film’s score is a rich tapestry of classic science fiction, and its visuals are a vibrant adventure bouquet reminiscent of Spielberg, Lucas, and Zemeckis. “Independence Day” marked a turning point for the genre and the industry, deserving of its own chapter in film history.
.jpg “Scene from “Independence Day: Resurgence””)
To increase its chances of breaking into the Chinese box office, the filmmakers included two characters played by Asian actors. Angelababy plays a fearless fighter pilot, while Chin Han plays the commander of the lunar base.
A Missed Opportunity
Can a revolution or a “Victory Day” be artificially replicated? Can a genre and stylistic breakthrough be planned? Of course not. This definitively places the new “Independence Day” on the cinematic map – not as a reflection or even a shadow of the original, but merely as a faint echo from two decades past. The new film lacks originality, innovation, and freshness. It feels like a laborious, uninspired effort, a construction project rushed to completion for an anniversary.
.jpg “Scene from “Independence Day: Resurgence””)
Knowing Emmerich, the numerous self-citations and references to other sci-fi films could be seen as elegant nods. However, this is undermined by the careless execution, as if someone were ticking off a checklist of homages: a dead spaceship frame (hello, “The Force Awakens”), a spherical head (hello, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”), a leaping monster (hello, “Monsters”), and new fighter uniforms (hello, “Starship Troopers”). There’s no soul behind these friendly waves. A single mention of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” in the first film carried more weight.
.jpg “Scene from “Independence Day: Resurgence””)
And that’s before mentioning the self-repetition. “Resurgence” is almost entirely composed of plot remakes and re-enactments of familiar scenes: communication with aliens through a human host, a punch to an alien’s face, a heroic sacrifice inside an alien ship, and the united efforts of survivors. But the childlike wonder of watching “Independence Day '96” for the first time is absent.
Glimmers of Hope
Let’s put aside the grumbling and try to find something good in the film. It’s there, albeit difficult to spot. First, it’s great to see Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum back on screen. The veterans still outshine the younger cast, such as Liam Hemsworth, who plays the same character in every film, and Jessie Usher, who doesn’t measure up to Will Smith’s charisma, or Maika Monroe, who is likable but unconvincing as the president’s daughter. Second, the filmmakers tried to retain some of the humor that filled the first film. Unfortunately, “Resurgence” lacks the banter between Goldblum’s character and his father, and the jokes between Jake and Ryan are only suitable for a less discerning audience. Finally, “Resurgence” excels in special effects. The original film is painful to watch today, with its terrible composite shots and shoddy alien designs. The sequel has excellent flights, explosions, shooting, and space landscapes. The aliens are also much better designed, which genre fans will appreciate.
The Verdict
Ultimately, was “Resurgence” necessary for anything other than making money? Did audiences who grew up in the past 20 years need this film? Do young people need elderly heroes? The answer is no. In this case, the sequel has fallen so far from the tree that it’s not worth seeking out. It was made, and that’s fine, but if it hadn’t been, no one would have died. The actors and director could have certainly done without “Independence Day 2” on their resumes. And true fans will only be disappointed by the fan fiction’s lack of logic, charismatic characters, and originality.