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Independence Day
Five Star Collection
review by Zach B.
Rated: PG-13
Studio: Fox
Running Time: 153 Minutes
Starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Mary
McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, Robert
Loggia, James Rebhorn, Harvey Fierstein
Written by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Retail Price: $34.99
Features: Theatrical Version, Special Edition
Version,Commentary with Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin,
Commentary by Special Effects Supervisors Volker Engel and
Doug Smith, "Creating Reality" 30 Minute Documentary on the
Making of ID4, "ID4 Invasion" mockumentary, "HBO First Look"
featurette, Alternate Biplane Ending, Storyboards, Concept
Art, Production Stills, Theatrical Trailers, TV Spots,
Collectible Booklet, DVD-ROM: "Get Off My Planet" game, link
to ID4 online game with free month of internet access, Live
online event
Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1
English, Dolby Surround English, Dolby Surround French,
English Subtitles, Spanish Subtitles, Chapter Search, 2 Disc
Set, THX Certified
Simply put, "Independence Day" was the whole big, hyped
summer movie of 1996. It really seems like it was last week,
but at the time of writing this, it was four years ago when
the film was released into theaters and went on to gross
over 300 million dollars in the United States. I myself
personally remember the long lines at the theater waiting to
see the movie, as well as the major TV hype, the theatrical
teasers and the whole "Sneak Preview The Day Before"
showing. If I recall correctly, the movie brought in a
little under 90 million dollars in about five days.
"Independence Day" is a pure popcorn movie. Yes, it is
something critics and nitpickers are going to bash, but I
myself found it to be really entertaining. Yet when you come
down to it, it's just a whole big blockbuster film that
isn't going to win awards for the story department. The plot
is basic and really predictable and the characters are
clichéd to death. Still, it's a fun ride with some
earnest performances, and made Will Smith the whole "King of
July 4th weekend"
(Men In
Black was sucessful, but Wild Wild Crap err West
bombed).
The movie begins when giant, alien spaceships start
appearing in major cities/countries all over the world. The
aliens strike a few days before July 4th, Independence Day.
However, the lucky survivors of the huge alien explosions
and whatnot somehow come and are banded together to figure
out a way to fight off the aliens and save the world. You
have your central hero, Steven Miller (Will Smith), your
computer nerd (Jeff Goldblum), the hardworking, nice and
forceful president (Bill Pullman), his wife (Mary
McDonnell), Goldblum's stereotypical Jewish father (Hirsch),
the Army general guy thingy (Loggia) and a few more.
The movie boasts some really nice special effects and
computer graphics, which did pretty much wow audiences
around the time of release. As I said, this movie is nothing
too original, but gets the job done of entertaining the
audience.
"ID4" has also been one of the most anticipated DVD
releases since the format came out, and this two disc set,
though basically a port of the special edition laserdisc,
has some really nice features, including a special edition
cut, an alternate ending, storyboards and more.
"Independence Day" is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic
widescreen (both versions of the movie), and the result is a
really nice transfer with much clarity. Detail is some of
the best I have seen, and the colors used capture a lot of
the film's tone with much accuracy. Colors do not bleed at
all, and images remain strong and provides a nice, vibrant
punch.
The film is powered by a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Not to
say this track isn't bad or anything, I found it to be a
little disappointing. I felt a more range of sounds could
have been used, and the fact sounds could have sounded a bit
louder and stronger. Still, the planes swooping, the White
House blowing to bits and the climatic battle scene sound
really nice, and that you feel like you are there. The
beautiful musical score by David Arnold uses the channels
really well. A fine mix, with English and French Dolby
Surround tracks included as well with English and Spanish
subtitles.
Though this is basically a port of the laserdisc, the
supplementary content on the two discs are nothing
revolutionary, but really nice and good to see... and hear.
Thanks to our friend seamless branching, we can
expierence two cuts of the movie. One is the standard
Theatrical Cut while the other is the Special
Edition. The Special Edition is nice, basically adding
in a few scenes as well as extending others. It basically
builds on the plot and characters just a little bit more,
but in all honesty, it's not really necessary and doesn't do
much for the movie.
Lifted right from the laserdisc is the Commentary with
Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin. They discuss the making
of the film, and seem pretty relaxed. There is some pauses
now and then between them, and even make references to the
laserdisc format, but do offer a decent amount of
information on the making of the movie. Not the greatest
commentary ever, but I still think it is worth a listen.
The Commentary with Special Effects Supervisors Volker
Engel and Doug Smith only is for the Special Edition
portion of the movie, and is a good commentary. It offers a
wealth of information on the film's special effects, so if
you are into that kind of thing or are curious about it,
this commentary is for you.
Three different featurettes (though one is listed as a
documentary) are included: Creating Reality, in my
opinion, is the best of the three and has some nice
information on making the movie, and lasts a hearty half
hour. The mockmumentary ID4 Invasion is presented in
a pretty redundant and stupid fashion and goes on for 22
minutes, while the HBO First Look, which lasts 33
minutes and is hosted by Jeff Goldblum, is also a little
stupid but features some fluff interviews and behind the
scenes footage.
The Original Biplane Ending Sequence to the film
is presented with commentary, and I must say, I am glad they
didn't use this ending. I agree with Emmerich's choice to
not have it, and how it did look pretty stupid to have a
biplane in the climatic sequence. I could see what he was
going for, but it didn't work out. I say you watch it and
decide for yourself.
For you DVD-ROM users, there is the game "Get Off
My Planet" and a DVD-ROM link to the ID4 Online Game
which gives you a free month of play. There will also be
a Live Event too.
Rounding off the disc is a great amount Storyboards,
Original Artwork and Production Stills, plus Three
Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots. (There is also
an easter egg, which I'll leave to you to find out).
It's not the greatest movie in the world, but it sure is
an enjoyable one. Fox has given one of the most anticipated
DVDs are nice treatmentm with a great transfer and good
extras. I was expecting a little more with the sound, but
it's still great to hear. If you enjoyed the movie (I know
some of you aren't all critics!), this is a great addition
to your collection.
 (3.5/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (4.5/5)
 (4/5)
(4/5)
(4/5,
NOT an average)
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