Lifestyle

'Independence Day' sequel a blast of big, dumb fun

Posted June 24, 2016 11:30 am

By Lindsey Bahr Associated Press

Earth once again faces an alien threat in “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

If you have any interest in a sequel to "Independence Day," you'll likely not be disappointed by the improbably enjoyable "Independence Day: Resurgence." It's silly, light-as-air popcorn entertainment.

Director Roland Emmerich's conceit is simple and hilariously dumb: What would happen if 20 years after aliens invaded, they came back in a 3,000-mile-wide ship? It's both a redux of the first film - and also not. The world has changed in the two decades since those hovering ships destroyed the White House and most major cities around the globe, and alien defense is now basically a subset of every military outfit.

Misunderstood genius David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) is now the first guy they call, not the one knocking at the door trying to persuade everyone to listen. His dad, Julius (Judd Hirsch), wrote a memoir about the whole saving-the-Earth thing. And the generation of kiddos from the first movie have seemingly devoted themselves to their government, including the president's daughter, Patricia (Maika Monroe), and Dylan Hiller (Jessie T. Usher), son of Vivica A. Fox's Jasmine Hiller and stepson of Will Smith's Steven Hiller, who died years ago and is memorialized as a national hero.

The only one not doing so hot is President Whitmore (Bill Pullman), who basically has alien-induced PTSD and a bushy "I've lost my mind" beard and cane. Oh, and, surprise! The long-haired Area 51 scientist Dr. Brakish Okun (Brent Spiner) didn't die in '96 (yeah, right).

There's a whole mess of new characters, including the U.S. president (Sela Ward); a French scientist (Charlotte Gainsbourg); an African general (Deobia Oparei); and a hunky fighter pilot (Liam Hemsworth) who's engaged to Patricia.

The plot is a big jumble of story lines, nonsense science talk and lots of "in '96" references. Speaking of '96, there's nothing even remotely as thrilling or memorable as the first here - no mom, son and pup running through an L.A. tunnel, no Will Smith complaining about missing a barbecue while dragging a comatose alien through the desert, and no set pieces likely to influence future action movies.

Twentieth Century Fox didn't screen this film for critics in advance - usually the sign of a clunker of a movie. Instead, this is the mindless spectacle we've been waiting for. So grab some popcorn, turn your brain off, and hoot and holler along with the crowd.

David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) and Dr. Catherine Marceaux (Charlotte Gainsbourg) face a new alien invasion in “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Earth once again faces an alien threat in “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Jake Morrison (Liam Hemsworth) readies for battle in “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

President Lanford (Sela Ward, left) meets with Dylan Hiller (Jessie Usher) as the planet faces a massive alien threat in “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

“Independence Day: Resurgence”

★ ★

Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Liam Hemsworth, Bill Pullman, Jessie T. Usher, Sela Ward, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox

Directed by: Roland Emmerich

Other: A Twentieth Century Fox release. Rated PG-13 for violence and language. 120 minutes

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