INDEPENDENCE DAY

REVIEWED BY BETH FEAKER

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: violence, thematic elements, foul language

Rated:

The camera rolls over the moon's surface, toward a close-up shot of the plaque put there by Apollo 11. "Here men from the planet earth first set foot upon the moon...We came in peace for all mankind." Suddenly the words begin the rumble and a heavy shadow passes over us, a giant spaceship looming up out of the darkness and slowly floating to planet earth. And it's not coming in peace.

On July 2nd, communication systems worldwide are sent into chaos and huge round objects are sighted in the sky above London, Moscow, Washington D.C., and in the Middle East. At first thought to be meteors, the media is making up stories and the citizens are panicking, while the President (Bill Pullman) is in close consultation with his advisors and tells everyone to stay in their homes. But the objects are moving closer, and finally settle right above the cities, blackening the sky and randomly appearing over 15 other major world cities as well. The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe has been answered. It's finally revealed that these gigantic objects are spacecrafts piloted by a mysterious alien species, and the people can only hope that they're friendly and get ready to welcome them...

Meanwhile, computer freak-turned-ecology nut David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) is playing chess with his father, who comments on him still wearing his wedding ring after a 3-year-old divorce. Obviously still in love with his wife, who is coincidentally the President's secretary, David is oblivious to the worldwide chaos, until he taps into the communications system and discovers these strange atmospheric occurrences are signals between the aliens, planning to attack major points around the globe in less than 6 hours. The President is warned and thus begins the global countdown as citizens from Los Angeles to New York rush frantically to get out of the major cities. On July 3rd, the aliens destroy New York, LA, and Washington. The survivors set out in groups to Area 51, where it is rumored the military is hiding an alien spacecraft of their own. The President and David are exploring the strange findings, when suddenly Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) appears, carrying a freshly-killed alien being. Or so he thought... The alien comes out of a coma and communicates with the President, informing him that they are on a quest from planet to planet, to exterminate every species other than their own. Their mission? ... death.

On July 4th, it's up to David to come up with a plan that will use every able-bodied man who has ever flown a plane to fight back, this time in direct contact with the "Mother Ship." Inspired by patriots worldwide, in a very moving and inspirational speech the President tells us, "We are not fighting against tyranny, against persecution, or against slavery. We are fighting for the freedom to live, the freedom from extermination! July 4th will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as a day when the whole world united in one effort to save humanity from certain death." 

Independence Day is full of humor, amazing visual effects, and great acting. Featuring an inspiring soundtrack and awesome picture, and adding delicately sweet romance between David and his wife, Captain Hiller and his fiancée, and a tear-jerking scene of the President and his family, it's not only suspenseful and exciting but has just the right finishing touches. Although Capt. Hiller has been living with his fiancée, he marries her and adopts her son, and David and his wife get back together. There is one scene toward the beginning of the movie of a stripper in a sensual dance and walking around for a few seconds in very little clothing. But the whole scene is only about a minute long and easily fast-forwarded.

However, there is frequent swearing and offensive use of God's and Jesus' name, the stripper says not to feel sorry for her because she doesn't mind her life, and when the cities are being destroyed, a teenage guy asks a girl if she really wants to die a virgin -- her brother pulls her away before she has time to answer. There are a few intense scenes of fireballs being dropped on cities and people scurrying away, but absolutely nothing gory or gross. We only see one man (who we don't like anyway) come to a violent end -- an alien uses his vocal cords to speak, then he drops dead on the floor.

The first time I watched this film, I was 13 and freaked out by the aliens. But now it's one of my all-time favorites, though I would recommend that parents watch it with the fast-forward button ready to use. If you want an exciting movie to watch that the guys in your family will love too, rent this hilarious, action-packed quest to save the world and get ready to cheer for Independence Day.