Explain Independence Day To Me

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   Stevennix2001posted 12 years ago

   Okay, I'm all ears.  Explain why "Independence Day" starring Will Smith is considered a good movie (assuming you liked it), and why it shouldn't be taken seriously because it's a quote on quote "Popcorn flick" that you're supposed to turn off you brain for.  Please explain why i should like this film.  Granted, I like seeing crap blow up, and the women in the movie are sexy.  However, when you look past these things, it's nothing more than random stereotypes vs alien stereotypes.  You have the gruff military stereotype.  There's the Jewish stereotype. There's the redneck hill billie stereotype.  There's the geeky nerd scientist stereotype.  There's the annoying best friend stereotype.  There's the gay stereotype, and finally the hero stereotype as well.  Not only that, but the film is flat out insulting.  The movie contains too many plot holes, cliches, and it's almost as if they think that special effects will make up for how piss poor the story is.
   
   Okay before you folks try to convince me to like the film, here's logic that I will NOT listen to if you try to use it, and why:
   
   1.  If you turn off your brain, then blah blah blah:  Okay, you can use that logic, but any movie where I have to turn off my brain sounds like a piece of s*** to begin with; hence I'm not going to read to a single word you say if you even dare utter those words.
   
   2.  It's a popcorn flick:  Granted, that's a good argument, but why don't you tell me what constitutes as a popcorn flick first before you make this argument
   
   3.  The girls in the movie are hot:  Yeah...sorry but if I wanted to watch a movie for hot girls, then I'd sooner watch porn.  No offense.
   
   4.  The special effects and explosions are cool:  Yeah, that won't work, as a lot of bad films have great special effects.  Anyone remember the "Star Wars Prequels?"  Or how about "Battlefield Earth?"  What about the "Godzilla" remake starring Matthew Broderick?  Those films had great special effects and explosions, but those movies sucked.  Therefore, how does that make a difference for "Independence Day?"
   
   5. Don't bring up Will Smith:  Don't get me wrong, his performance in the movie alone is worth mentioning, but that's the ONLY THING that's remotely good about "Independence Day", but I want to hear arguments outside of his performance that are worth mentioning.
   
   6.  Don't bring up Jeff Goldblum's performance:  His role was cliched ridden, and the concept that his character would know more than actual military scientists is flat out insulting, so I refuse to accept any arguments about his character.
   
   7. Don't bring up Bill Pullman:  Granted, he's a good character in the film, but the idea that he ends up abandoning his job as president to become a fighter pilot is so freakishly insulting that it makes me want to puke.  Don't bring up his character, as he lost all credibility once his character became a fighter pilot; hence making an already stupid film...even stupider...
   
   Okay, now that you know what arguments that I won't listen to, please tell me why I should even consider liking "Independence Day"...GO!  

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      Shinkickerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      ... cos Arnie's not in it :-)

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         Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Actually if Arnold Schwarzenegger was in the film, I think it would've been a helluva a lot better to be honest.  Granted, he's not a great actor, but he does have have a lot of charisma that goes a long way.  Therefore, seeing him utter cliche one liners while blowing up aliens would've made this movie more entertaining, but I appreciate the effort.

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   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   One reason- Good old America leads the charge against a destructive alien force who wipes out 70% of the planet before the first Nuclear Weapon is ever used.
   
   If that's not an example of what our politicians should be like, then I don't know what is.
   
   Btw- it's not a good movie. It's okay.

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      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I guess the nuclear bomb they used in the movie in a petty attempt to wipe out the aliens didn't count then? 
      
      Edit:  If you're referring to the alien weapon, then that's kind of debatable, as they never say exactly what kind of energy that thing runs on.  However, nice try, as i think you've given the best answer thus far.

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   logic,commonsenseposted 12 years ago

   Besides aliens that can build city size spaceships aren't smart enough to download AVG antivirus.  Probably had Norton.

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      Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      

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      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      

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   optimus grimlockposted 12 years ago

   wow your the 1st person to say the movie wasnt good. The movie flowed well and made sence from begining to end plus the effects were awesome. I think you just disected it wayyyy toooo much or your on your period again lol. Damn 30 days goes by fast lol

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      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Correction. I'm the first person that YOU know that said the movie wasn't good, as I can gladly post links to many reviews that have felt the same way as I have about the film, and I know some people in real life that agree with me as well. 
      
      
      
      Well Grimlock, the plot isn't that hard to figure out, but it's the mediocre story development cliches and various stereotypes that kill the film.
      
      
      
      That's really a matter of opinion, as there are some movies I can immediately tell are mediocre without dissecting it too much, and this was one of those films.
      
      
      
      Actually, I'm a man, so I don't get periods.  However, that's a nice try.
      
      
      That it does.  Speaking of which..I think you told me that your time of the month was coming soon?   

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   optimus grimlockposted 12 years ago

   well when it came out I was 16 so at that age it was aweome to me if it came out now i'd see the wholes in it. Most movies you can figure out in 30 seconds or less very few movies keep you guessing or truely suprise you, 1 in 100 surprises me. No vagina no period sorry lol. So is that the expendables 2 or laid to rest 2? laid to rest was one of the eriest horroe movies I've ever seen and the character was chrome skull thats Y i ask?

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      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, that's true.  I remember when I first saw the movie, I thought it was awesome as a kid, as I think I was around the same age when it was released.  However, as an adult, I think it's okay, but not as great as the hype it had back then.  Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the film, as I would just say it's mediocre.  And to answer your question, yeah this is from the upcoming "Expendables 2" movie. I'm still working on my "action and adventure" hub, so I'm donning this avatar until it's published.  lol.

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   CarltheCritic1291posted 12 years ago

   Why do people consider "Independence Day" to be a GOOD movie? I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone say those words exactly, but it certainly is a "Fun" movie. There is a message that the movie tries to convey about how when there is a common threat, old enemies will unite to  help each other fight, but "Independence Day" looses its message when it shows mostly America, and has other foreign countries appear for less than 5 minutes of screen time.
   BUT if you were to take a look at it from a technical stand point, at it's time, "Independence Day" was very advanced. Now a days the special effects are laughable, but back in the '90's it was impressive, so I can see why it may have left an impact in that sense, but story wise, it isn't really memorable. Hope this answers your question, it really is a good one.

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      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, this has got to be the best argument that I've heard for this movie thus far, as I don't disagree with any of your points. Great job Carl, as you certainly provided a great answer to this query.

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   Sowensmomposted 12 years ago

   Well, I'd have to go with, it's a matter of opinion.  What you're into.  I can't tell anyone they should like a movie.  Or they shouldn't like that movie.  It depends on who you are, what you're into, and what catches your interest.  On that note, if you don't like a movie, great!  If ya do, better!  I like the nonsense movies!  LOL They don't scare me or make me worry with what if's?  Then again, there are a lot of people that enjoy the war movies that I find rather boring, because I'm just not into them.  And, Independence Day is a type of war movie.  But, it's funny!  Not all drama and blah! I like that movie.  But, I'm not going to force or try to convince you to like it.

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      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well to each their own.  As I stated earlier, I don't exactly hate the movie, as I just think it's mediocre at best.  Plus, I do agree with you though, as you do make a lot of good points. 
      
      However, I was just bored when I created this thread, and I was a bit curious to see what people would say to defend this film; which is why I opened it.  However, I do appreciate you and everyone here for taking the time to respond.

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         couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Interesting subject.  I tend to watch movies with an eye for flaws in the script, mistakes in flow continuity, and the like.  Independence Day is one of my favorite movies for a number of reasons.  I wasn't able to detect any continuity flaws.  Scenes of the same location shot at different times showed everyone in correct position, mud and makeup the same, etc.
         
         This is basically a 'feel good' movie.  The U.S. is the big bad saviour.  Loved hearing the Brits say 'it's about bloody time' referring to the Americans finding a way in.
         
         Yes, Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith both have a sexy walk, so that helped.  The scene in the tunnel when Smith's girlfriend kicks the metal storage door open and the dog miraculously manages to jump in just in time is a bit unlikely, but again, it's about the 'feel good'.
         
         Another great scene - when Smith is dragging 'your sorry ass through the desert wit ya dreads all hangin out the back'.  Just good writing.
         
         President turned back to fighter pilot insulting?  Where I come from we call that heroic.  This character was defined earlier when he fired the sniveling cabinet member - or whoever that guy was.
         
         If you're military, I can understand your position.  But movies are made to entertain.  Some like it hot, some like it funny, some just want to be reminded of the days when people banded together and did the right thing, where hope remained as something which we could all grasp on to, and where even a girl from Kansas could meet the Great and Powerful Oz. 

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