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| Value for Money | 7.5/10  |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | 7.5/10 |
Director Roland EmmerichStarring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman
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Full review by
Pete120
on 13th Jul 2007
User Rating : 8
Respect :
0
Good Points: All actors gave an amazing performance and I felt truly hooked on the movie!
General comments: 'Independence Day', directed by Roland Emmerich and made in 1996, is a sci-fi film in which Earth is invaded by extra-terrestrial beings. The film is set largely in America: In Washington, the Nevada desert and New York. I believe the key message of the film is that America is great, proud and 'when determined', unbeatable.
When the film begins we see the moon, this immediately gives the possibility that it is a Sci-Fi film. Our attention is brought onto a plaque on the moon. Signifying America defeating Russia in the 'Space Race'. This and the flag near it show off America's achievements and success. On the plaque amongst the writing is written, "we can in peace for all mankind", this tells the audience that America was acting for everyone and that they came in peace; aren't violent or hostile. Suddenly we see some sort of ship coming from above the moon, the music becomes threatening and this is like a threat to earth. Now that we have seen this alien spaceship we can safely say that it is a Sci-Fi film. As the spaceship moves forward it casts a shadow over the plaque and the American flag. This degrades America's achievements and foreshadows darkness falling over the world and the lives of everyone. The set changes from the moon to America, we see the huge dishes and technology everywhere, this prompts the question 'Can America survive the presumed attack'? As the set changes so does the music, we hear the line "it's the end of the world as we know it". This foreshadows that the world will somehow change, possibly the idea of extra-terrestrial life becoming a reality, this would be a great shock to the people of the world.
Not if Steve Hiller (Will Smith) can help it, he is a very humorous and dedicated fighter pilot yet has a girlfriend with a child. They want to get married but do the aliens have that in mind? Will they come in peace or with hostility? His girlfriend is called Jasmine; she is a very loving and caring person; scared for the well being of Steve on his dangerous missions. The satellite technician scientist, David Levinson is a hard working, extremely intelligent man that used to be married to Constance Sparrow, there seems to still be some tension between them and in the end they have been brought closer by the events of the film. Constance Sparrow is a 'smart looking', caring (if a bit rude sometimes) woman. Her job is the 'Defence Secretary', which could leave her with some tough decision. Actor Bill Paulman plays the part of President Whitmore, a well-groomed, laid-back guy. He has a wife and kid, is very kind and determines; and in his first scene we find out how humorous and loving/charming he is. We find out that the American public think he is a bit of a wimp but he proves the audience otherwise when he at first refuses to leave the city that aliens are hovering over and then actually fights in the last battle against the technologically advanced aliens. His wife is called Patricia (Mary Macdonald). She is a caring reporter that unfortunately sustains injuries that are going to kill her. Each of these main characters bring something different to audiences of view of Americans but all of them are king and caring, this could be trying to stereotype all Americans as people with very kind and caring values; but are they?
Kind, caring, and definitely not racist or sexists that is. Two of the main characters (Steve Hiller and Jasmine) are black; Steve Hiller goes on the most important mission in the film. This shows that the director is willing to give people of other races big parts, showing he is not racist and I think with his choice of characters he is also trying to put across that America is not racist either. This is non racist view is backed up by the fact that another main character (David Levinson) is Jewish, plays a big part and is very intelligent. Constance Sparrow is a woman that is given the part of defence secretary, a very high and important job. Roland Emmerich is making sure that America is also seen as not sexist. Near the beginning of the film we see the president of the United States talking to everyone as equals; he has an informal talk about a match to his personal assistant who is black, promoting America as a non-racist country. When America hears news of the spaceships over other countries, they seem eager to help and protect them somehow. The film displays America's ideology of the American people as non-degrading and equal to others. The fact that these characters of other races and genders are important, they show that the 'American Dream' (that everyone can make it to the top) is real and is true throughout all types of people. Roland Emmerich may have included other genders and races in important roles, but did he include them because he felt he had to, or because he honestly judged them equally?
Throughout the start of the film we see the American flag a number of times and in a number of places, this shows how proud America is of itself. We also see the pentagon that represents America's strength and power. At the start of the film (as previously mentions) we see the plaque on the moon commemorating the landing and their peace. This symbolises America's peacefulness and hospitality. Lastly, for the part of the film that is set in New York we see 'Central Park' and the 'Statue of Liberty', two more things that promote America and are known to attract people. In my opinion the director uses all of these symbols of America to show it in its best possible light.
The film ends with America saving the world. Thinking up an intelligent way of disabling the enemy alien defensive shields, Implementing their idea via an extremely dangerous mission and finally launching a massive attack on one of the ships and successfully destroying it. This makes another achievement for America and shows just how wonderful it can be. The message of the film is that no matter how large the threat, no matter how dangerous the mission or how large the army is and now matter how technologically advanced the opposition is; a strong, skillful and un-stereotypical America will always come out victorious. In my opinion the film; whether or not a true portrayal of America, was told very well. It meets everything one would want from an Action/Sci-Fi film, is very entertaining and I would recommend it to others.
Pete120's review and ratings | 1136 words
Review by
Bubzy
on 9th Dec 2006
User Rating : 7
Respect :
0
This is great action all the way throughout and its a great sci-fi because of the comedy that it does keep you entertained. If the film was, say, 1/5 shorter, then it would be one of the best out there. The techology is really cool and the aliens and the detail of everything really contributes to the reality of the film. Go and see it at the cinema, oh, wait, it's not out anymore. This is a real bummer and your review will probably have worse ratings because of that. Still, its entertaining.
Bubzy's full review | 219 words
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