Unnecessary and unfulfilling.
Released on June 24, 2016 - one week shy of the original's twentieth anniversary - this
$165 million science fiction action film is once again directed by the master of the disaster
film, Roland Emmerich.
Despite its growing cume north of $270 million, IDR - or whatever we're abbreviating this
one - was seen as a box office disappointment - failing to even earn the top-spot of its
opening weekend.
Mirroring the real-life delay that occurred between installments, this PG-13 rated picture
takes place two decades after the so-called "War Of '96".
Mankind has united in peace, and enhanced their society with advanced alien technology
- but when the bad boys from outer space show up to kick their ass again all over again,
our familiar heroes find themselves just as helpless.
The two-hour picture begins with an excessive amount of world-building as the narrative
breathlessly delivers crucial exposition as fast as possible.
To its credit though, these earlier scenes are probably "Resurgence's" best.
Revisiting this universe, and seeing most of our favorite characters again is a real
treat.
The imaginative extrapolation of alien technology only briefly glimpsed in the first film is
on proud display here.
The band of intrepid and resourceful Earthlings include Liam Hemsworth as a hot-headed Earth-Space-Defense
fighter pilot; Jeff Goldblum - now a famous war hero - is the director of this interplanetary
ESD agency; Bill Pullman is the respected former President; while Brent Spiner receives
a sizable bump in screentime when he awakens from a 20-year-coma to resume his eccentric
Area-51 duties.
Sela Ward, Jessie Usher, William Fichtner, and Judd Hirsh round out the supporting cast
with pivotal, if under-utilized roles.
Even Robert Loggia returns for a non-speaking cameo, in what would be his final role before
his death.
Facing impossible odds, Goldblum admits, "I've had years to get us ready.
We never had a chance."
- to which Pullman immediately replies, "We didn't last time, either."
Despite the host of returning players, there's unfortunately some re-casting and clumsy exits
too.
Maika Monroe replaces Mae Whitman as Pullman's now-adult, fighter-pilot daughter.
I can overlook her unbelievable and extremely convenient career choice - but I can't ignore
the blatantly sexist recasting.
Whitman may have only been a kid in the first film, but she did a great job with the role,
and has really blossomed into a talented and beautiful actress in recent years, including
her work in "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower", and her lead part in "The Duff".
So even though she was reportedly available and interested in returning - she was passed-over
for the younger, more attractive Monroe - for reasons seemingly based on superficial Hollywood
standards of 'beauty', and little else.
But the most obvious problem with the film, especially in regards to its cast, is the
noticeable absence of Will Smith.
Conflicting reports suggest he turned down the role over scheduling issues, while the
producers claim he asked for too much money - either way, his character is written out
with a quick line of dialogue - explaining that he died in a test-flight.
Hemsworth is perfectly fun and enjoyable as the precocious lead - functioning as Smith's
defacto replacement...
but it just isn't the same without him here.
Especially since the movie reminds us of this now-dead character by constantly referencing
his legacy.
On the topic of 'clumsy exits', Vivica A. Fox returns for a glorified cameo, before
being rather unceremoniously killed off.
Her death is emblematic with my biggest issues here - as "Independence Day: Resurgence" doesn't
have the same weight or scale of the original.
Major characters are killed, and famous cities completely leveled without any fanfare or
concern.
And truth-be-told, watching explosions rip through famous landmarks just isn't as exciting
or special anymore.
"Resurgence" is ironically, a victim of its own namesake: as it's never able to escape
its predecessor's shadow.
The comparisons between the films are not only inevitable, but largely unfavorable.
A new threat retconned into this follow-up is a mile-wide hole the aliens attempted to
suck Earth's core out of like a straw - which apparently went unvisited or examined until
the day before their next attack?
The coincidence - and the concept of a giant tunnel through the Earth - are quite unbelievable,
even for this series.
IDR is littered with familiar beats and imagery straight out of the first film - but they're
all repurposed or rearranged in a new way.
Oftentimes, it feels like we're watching a remake, instead of a sequel.
Despite is laundry-list of flaws, not the least of which being its un-requested existence
in the first place; "Resurgence" succeeds because of its returning characters.
Fans of the original definitely won't enjoy this one as much - but it's still an exciting
ride with some cool moments.
And here's what you had to say about it.
Deriding the poor character development, you thought this was only "ALRIGHT".
"Independence Day: Resurgence" often misfires, but strong action sequences and nostalgia-baiting
help it become a GOOD film.
That does it for this quick excerpt - but if you'd like to watch full episodes of "Movie
Night", and submit your own reviews to be included on the show, please visit the Jogwheel
YouTube channel.
My name is Jonathan Paula, thanks for watching and have a good Movie Night!