The sequel to the 1996 movie of the same title may not have the same pull and charisma as the original.

Rating: 2/5 Stars

Cast: Liam Hemsworth as Jake Morrison, Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson, Jessie Usher as Dylan Dubrow-Hiller, Bill Pullman as Thomas J. Whitmore, Maika Monroe as Patricia Whitmore, Sela Ward as Elizabeth Lanford, Judd Hirsch as Julius Levinson, William Fichtner as Joshua Adams, Brent Spiner as Dr. Brakish Okun, Patrick St. Esprit as Reese Tanner, Angelababy as Rain Lao, and Charlotte Gainsbourg as Dr. Catherine Marceaux.

Director: Roland Emmerich

Synopsis: The movie begins two decades after the destructive alien invasion that left the whole world in shambles. To make sure that the confounding devastation does not happen once again, the leaders of the United Nation established the Earth Space Defense. The space station is responsible for protecting the planet from future extraterrestrial invaders and annihilate any threat against Earth through the aid of the reverse-engineered alien technology.

However, unknown to the rest of the world, the aliens that once plagued our world is now on its way to Earth and their ship and technology is way more overwhelming than the first ones that hit us. The heroes who saved us before and a new band of highly trained Earth Space Defenders have to work together to defeat this seemingly invulnerable foe looming upon the Earth.

Review

It has been 20 years since this science fiction action film made a blockbuster among the cinemas all over the world, and now it is back to do the same thing, or not. The sequel to the 1996 movie of the same title may not have the same pull and charisma as the original. For the past few years, a number of science fiction films have crossed the theaters and moviegoers may have seen it all.

Coming up with a more interesting and fresher idea on how aliens attack the planet may become a bit more challenging for the creators of The Independence Day: Resurgence. The movie also no longer stars Will Smith who played the brave and self-sacrificing war hero Steven Hiller (which I’m sure you’re expecting to see again in this sequel).

Apart from Smith, other casts are back like Bill Pullman as President Thomas Whitmore, who has been brutally traumatized by the first invasion. He might somewhat invoke a sense of patriotism to the audiences as he rounds up everyone with his speech to fight for our home once again.

The movie also tries to interject drama as President Whitmore sacrifices his life to save mankind, and Liam Hemsworth’s character makes it back to the President’s daughter, Patricia, played by Maika Monroe.

However, the movie also puts in a few surprises as a goliath-sized queen Alien goes on a rampage almost defeating the heroes of the Earth. And, not so surprisingly, humanity triumphs over planet-sucking overgrown invaders, and we get to overpopulate the world once again.

The ending of the movie may suggest a sequel, which you might or might not want to watch, as other aliens whose homes were also pillaged pledge to become allies with the Earthlings.

Overall, if you need to see some aliens, this is the movie to watch on your dreary weekend.