Independence Day: Resurgence

Will Smith clearly knew something when he declined a role in this cinematic mess.

This is a film that will likely drift quickly into obscurity. As in 1996, Earth is once again being attacked by aliens that look like the same monster that attacked Sigourney Weaver in Aliens (1986). Earth faces certain destruction if handsome, young men and women serving as fighter pilots can find the time to remove their hands from each other in order to fight the enemy.

This Independence Day sequel is a tiresome film with a ridiculous plot that only a Saudi exchange student trying to learn English could love. Jeff Goldblum returns as the scientific expert David Levinson, and he always proves to be a handyman when it comes to killing aliens or dinosaurs as seen in Jurassic Park (1993). Bill Pullman also reappears as former President Whitmore, a man driven half nuts by nightmares concerning the first invasion. On the other hand, like Mr. Goldblum, you somehow know that he is going to find a way to save the day.

Judd Hirsch and Brent Spiner also return as old legends who look like escapees from an assisted living center. William Fichtner plays an American general sworn in as President after our Chief of State (Sela Ward) is killed by aliens. The only stunning addition to the cast was from Charlotte Gainsbourg, playing against type as an archeologist temporarily resisting the overtures from Mr. Goldblum. Then again, she was better in both recent Nymphomaniac films (2013).

Quite honestly, the only people who die in this film besides aliens are the older actors. Young pilots played by Liam Hemsworth, Grace Huang, Maika Monroe, Travis Tope and Jessie T. Usher who continually survive all but certain death in the most ridiculous fashion.

If you feel a need to watch young people paw each other, then agree to chaperone a junior prom. It will be more enjoyable.