Independence Day: Resurgence Review: A Bloated, Boring Return to Alien Invasion

Introduction

For two decades, whispers of a sequel to the iconic alien invasion blockbuster, Independence Day, echoed through Hollywood. Now, Independence Day: Resurgence has finally arrived, bringing with it the promise of even grander destruction and a new generation of heroes. Directed once again by disaster maestro Roland Emmerich, this follow-up sees the return of familiar faces like Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman, alongside a fresh cast including Liam Hemsworth and Jessie T. Usher. The premise is simple: a new, even larger alien threat emerges, forcing humanity to unite once more. Yet, where the original was an "entertaining as hell" ride of "great destructive Alien Invasion nonsense," this long-awaited continuation sadly "doesn't even have that luxury."

The Lead Dynamic & The Action

One of the most glaring issues with Independence Day: Resurgence is its glacial pacing. It takes "about a half an hour for anything to get going," and even that's a generous estimate. While the film attempts to establish where the original characters are now and introduce new ones, it does so with an abundance of exposition and awkward dialogue. Unlike the first film, which launched straight into the invasion with ships hovering over cities, this sequel spends its opening acts on "a lot of talking," showcasing moon bases and explaining technological advancements. This approach creates "no real tension," leaving audiences waiting for the action to begin, only for the massive alien ship to eventually land "like a big boring statue."

However, not all is lost in the spectacle. There are "a couple of dog fight ship scenes" that manage to ignite some excitement. Humanity's new "fighter jet hybrids," born from reverse-engineered alien technology, engage in visually striking aerial combat. The blend of human and alien design in these ships is genuinely cool, even if the sheer alien aesthetic of both sides makes it hard to discern "who am I rooting for." These moments offer a fleeting glimpse of the destructive fun the franchise is known for, but they are too few and far between to salvage the overall experience.

Cameos, Nostalgia & Narrative Stakes

Independence Day: Resurgence suffers from an overabundance of characters, attempting to give both the returning cast and the newcomers "relevance." This results in scenes where "everyone needs a reaction line," creating an awkward, crowded dynamic that feels forced. The film even resurrects Brent Spiner's character, revealing he was merely "in a coma" for 20 years—a plot device so cliché it feels like "a joke that people use for a plot line." His inclusion feels unnecessary, as "any Area 51 lab tech guy could have actually done what he did."

The narrative stakes are consistently low, and the film's "bigger is better" mentality ultimately backfires. The original Independence Day succeeded because of its relatively "simple" premise, allowing for focused fun. This sequel, however, "tries to be so much bigger and so much more" that it "blows up in their face," resulting in a "pretty boring mess that looks like it was being written as they were filming the movie." Even a seemingly significant subplot about a ground battle between aliens and an African militia after the first invasion feels shoehorned in, with its "relevance" to the main story remaining elusive.

Tone, Direction & Creative Freedom

Roland Emmerich's direction, usually a strength in large-scale destruction, feels unfocused here. The film's tone is inconsistent, oscillating between attempts at gravitas and moments of forced humor that fall flat. The pacing issues extend beyond the slow opening, with the entire movie feeling like "that middle part of Independence Day where after the destruction before the end fight everything kind of slows down." Even the climactic battle is "not a good end fight," lacking the emotional weight and palpable stakes that defined the original's finale. The sense of creative freedom seems to have led to a sprawling, incoherent narrative rather than a cohesive vision.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, Independence Day: Resurgence is a disappointing follow-up that ends "with a whimper" and an "on-the-nose setup for Independence Day 3." It's a film that tries to be everything to everyone, cramming in too many characters, too many subplots, and too much exposition, all while failing to deliver the simple, destructive joy of its predecessor. Screenverse won't be remembering this one "in T minus one day."