Independence Day

Independence Day is in a typically Emmerich vein, with this film being one of the first pieces to feature the director’s penchant for monster-scale visual effects, as well as the catastrophic-apocalyptic feel and the American heroism of the main characters. The cast was mostly likeable, the plot moved along, although twenty minutes less running time would not have hurt, and from a technical point of view it is a very successful achievement. In short, one of those films that is great for switching off the brain and unwinding. (07/11/2016)

“I steal, you steal, we steal.” Or how Emmerich and Devlin got together, dumped their brain concoctions into a common cauldron, stirred it properly and prepared an inedible slop. I turned off my brain and just wanted to have fun, but even a lobotomy wouldn't have helped. The massive avalanche of clichés and stupidity swept me away in such a way that I wouldn't want to repeat it. (05/11/2003)

"Comrades, ugly enemy agents have landed in our country from outer space in order to plant potato mandelins in our harvesting pools. Comrades, we're not going to subvert the States! Moreover, we have the victorious July, so get them!" Capitalist realism in full force, as demented as Bolshevik agitations, as spectacularly pathetic. Plus, the characters. A good-humored "nigga," a heroic president-pilot, a drunk with the heart of a Don Cossack...an... intrepid cowboy... Just a case of brilliantly making a stinking ball out of a pathetic fart. A film about nothing with nice effects. The glamour and misery of Hollywood in full swing. It wasn't custom made for the White House??? Edit 2011: I have to admit that (like many Bolshevik agitations) I enjoy this film and fills me with a special pleasure of absolute foolishness. So, in hindsight, I'm giving it an extra star, compared to Battle Los Angeles, it's royal fun, and it doesn't deserve the same rating... (01/25/2004)

It was great science fiction for its time, and perhaps not so surprisingly, it's still great science fiction nearly twenty years later. Emmerich has managed to create a great special effects film that perhaps best portrays the fear of being attacked. Yes, it's very American, but that's obvious from the title, isn't it? Some of the moral talk about unifying the world is a bit grating, but it probably wouldn't be possible without pathos. (10/20/2014)

Roland Emmerich bursts the floodgates with pathos. Bill Pullman is completely off with his heroic president, Will Smith is embarrassing, Jeff Goldblum might as well not have been there at all – and this is all just a minor, overrated mishap. This variation on War of the Worlds didn't work out and despite the gripping scene of the destruction of the White House, I have an aversion towards this film. (01/26/2006)