A bit annoyed at the change in this site. I am available on 'that other site' under the same user na...
A bit annoyed at the change in this site. I am available on 'that other site' under the same user name if you're interested. (The one that still pays us)
Member since:12.06.2001
Reviews:34
Members who trust:17
It's probably one of the classic films of the nineties. It was massively advertised and consequently drew one of the hugest audiences ever. The film contains humour, great special effects, fast moving action, unwavering patriotism and a few moments of sadness and happiness.
The fist half of the film deals basically with setting the scene and the arrival of the aliens. The huge mothership releases giant saucers the size of cities, which position themselves over major cities. At a given time, they destroy all of them and move on to others, intent on wiping the planet of resistant life so that they can plunder the planet before moving on to another. This is unconvincingly discovered when an alien communicates this to the american president (they obviously speak english!). The human retaliation to the destruction of so many cities is completely uneffective, delivered by F/A 18 Hornets, and eventually, nuclear weapons from B-2 Spirits. The breakthrough found, also unconvincingly in an unbeleivable leap of imagination, removes their shields and allows the main stars, Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum to destroy the mothership with an alien fighter they discovered in Area 51.
And basically that's the main idea of the film. There are numerous little sideplots involving lots of people that inevitably bring them all together in one happy ending. The film inspires (american) but also human race patriotism. People bravely die for Mother Earth, and all this is accompanied by emotional music, brave speeches, and emotional salutes (there's a lot of them - you know what they are!). The way the English are portrayed is frankly just amusing. 'Good Lord, old bean! I say, you'll never guess what the old yanks are up to now, what what! Fancy some afternoon tea?!'. All around the world people unite to work for the common cause. It's just so emotional (and yes that is sarcasm!).
The film is trying to excel in too many areas and as a result is mediocre in many. As an action film it really does have some good sequences, but then the other aspects of this film are boring for action buffs. Also those who like emotional films will also be disappointed with the way it doesn't deal with these issues fully. That said, it's still an enjoyable film and has some great moments. The acting is fairly good, but sometimes the script gets a bit too much for even the best of actors to be able to perform with any lustre. The soundtrack is fairly unnoticeable. It fits in well but because of this it doesn't stand out and make you think, wow what a great soundtrack! But in the same way you don't remember it as spoiling the film.
The special effects are very good, especially for the time the film was made. (I especially liked the one of the whole of an american city burning). The fast action in fighter jets is exciting, if brief. The wingman (of course, his name is Jimmy) dies (of course, fighting bravely to the last) and where would we be without the perfunctory 'Jimmy... Jimmy! JIMMY!!!!!'.
A predictable, strangely inadequate film that manages somehow to still be a great watch. Despite all that I have said, I would reccommend it to most people, and I enjoyed it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
Thanks, I've got the film on video but just haven't gotten round to watching it - maybe I will now!
Nameless 16.09.2001 18:30
I thought the soundtrack was very good myself, but I doubt we'll see much of this film for a while after the US attacks. Nice op though :o)
Xelavie 10.07.2001 04:51
For me it's a very good science fiction if only for the sense of patriotism it conveys to the viewers. I believe that when an antagonistic alien race invades the earth that's the only time that the entire mankind will be united. Keep on watching... Alex
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Jun 29th, 2001
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