Independence Day (1999)

I remember the last time I watched ID4. it was even more memorable becoz I watched it a night before my Uni final-year exams; to take the edge off after some stressful revision of Computer Networks. The premise is simple; E.T has gone bad & has come to take over our planet. The complex intersecting lives, each with it's own backstory builds up a good narrative. The pilot-president, the tech-geek, the fighter-pilot, the drunk-cropduster... all classic american heroes unite to save the world. I liked all the casting, it was perfect. Plenty of known faces for me to cheer.

Invisible force-fields, using satellites as countdown timers and telepathic-aliens shooting green goop at you. There's plenty of action right from the start. & I like the story-telling. using the Area 51 crash vehicle to sneak into the mother-ship, now that's foolhardy. To plant a virus (what language was this malware written in?)!! & a global simultaneous counter-attack !! Putting the grand battle timeline on July 4th gives the flick the classic 'America saves the day' touch.

The small details were highly entertaining for me . The alien-probed drunkard, the cigar-hexed pilot, air-sick techie, the exotic-dancer-gf, combat-driven president; I liked the connections being tried to establish.

Fav Dialogues: I'm not Jewish. Don't worry, nobody's perfect.; In the words of my generation, up yours; Elvis has left the building; Didn't I promise you fireworks.

Favourite scenes include: The WhiteHouse explosion, Will Smith KOing the alien with a punch, Will Smith waving at the aliens & shouting out "Peace" before pressing the button to explode them. The destoyed spaceships all around the world.

Alternate Ending: Why would I want to change such a triumpant ending? But I would have wanted some more global attempts of defense to be shown. & how about leaving something for a sequel ??

First Viewed: On TV at home in Mumbai with family.

Rating-3