Wednesday 22 June 2016

The Next Generation takes on the Aliens in Independence Day: Resurgence

by contributing writer Michelle Chee


When the first Independence Day movie came out in 1996, it drew crowds upon crowds to the cinemas, not just because of the stellar cast that included Will Smith and Bill Pullman, but also because of its feel-good, can-do spirit of global unity. Yup, ID4 reflected those were the good old days when all films ended on a high note and the President gives an inspirational “We’ve made it” type of speech.

Twenty years on and the bigwigs in Hollywood have finally decided that the epic sci-fi deserves a sequel and have given us Independence Day : Resurgence. This time, it appears that instead of just American landmarks that are blown up spectacularly , the destruction of key landmarks around the world will take place too (in the movie, that is). This includes the Big Ben in London and Malaysia’s very own Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC. Yes, very trademark of returning Director Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, Godzilla 1998).


In a nostalgic turn of events, many of the original characters return for this movie, including Jeff Goldblum  as David Levinson, the tech expert and Bill Pullman as  Thomas Whitmore, ex-president of the United States. Will Smith was supposed to return too as fighter pilot Steven Hiller, but at the last minute, production executives announced that they couldn’t get him on board as he had become too expensive to include on their payroll. Apparently, there were some scheduling conflicts with his other filming projects as well (Suicide Squad?). This is a real pity, since fans of the original movie would have been looking forward to his presence.

Jeff Goldblum returns as David Levinson, Director of Earth Space Defense.

Unfortunately Agent Smith won't be punching aliens this time round.


Interestingly enough, Will Smith’s absence in the film is explained by the fact that he died testing a prototype hybrid fighter about 11 years after the invasion. We do however, get to see the grown up version of his step son, Dylan, who is now part of the fighter pilot team trained to fight the aliens together with the daughter of ex-President Whitmore, Patricia.

War hero Colonel Steven Hiller's kid has now grown up to fight aliens like his father.
Dylan Hiller is played by Jessie T. Usher (not the kid actor in ID4).

The President's daughter in 1996, Patricia Whitmore (Maika Monroe) now follows after her fight-pilot father.
This brings us to what we know about the current movie so far. It appears that the aliens have returned bigger and better than before, but the earthlings are equally prepared as they have harnessed some of the alien technology from the previous attack and have now trained a whole Next Generation of pilots and defense personnel called  the Earth Space Defense  or ESD. 

Eye candy for the ladies is hotshot pilot Jake Morrison played by Liam Hemsworth.
One of the key faces that have joined the cast is Liam Hemsworth , best known for his role as Gale Hawthorne in the Hunger games, and being the younger brother of the equally steamy Chris Hemsworth ( a.k.a Thor, for all you Marvel fans out there). He plays Jake Morrison, the best pilot ESD has and a man who harbors a sense of vengeance as both his parents were killed during the first invasion.


Some of the things we note is that Pullman and Jeff Goldblum are allowed to age gracefully here, while allowing some of the younger cast members to carry major parts of the plotline.  To see what has been happening in the 20 years since the first war, this faux news report will cover everything:


Other members of the cast  for this new film include William Fichtner, Judd Hirsch, Sela Ward, Charlotte Gainsbourgh and Angelababy who plays Rain Lao, a pilot representing China.  Vivica A. Fox returns as the mother of Dylan Hiller and the widow of Hiller senior.

The one thing to look out for this time is the appearance of the alien Queen, which from the brief shots of her in the trailers, promises to be a large and formidable foe for our heroes.

All hail the Queen!
For those of you fans out there looking for the best promos and deals relating this new Independence Day movie, look no further as the Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.) has banded together and have compiled the following recon report:



At a series of locations, Golden Screen Cinemas will be holding interactive activities and contests for fans to win various limited edition prizes, and the event is called Earth Invasion! Independence Day Resurgence movie premiums are up for grabs as well as a Huawei smartphone everyday. Join the invasion in Kedah and Penang this weekend.

Did you missed the fun we had for GSC's Independence Day Invasion last week? Watch this video and join us this weekend!! 18 June (Satuday) • GSC Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka 2PM • GSC Palm Mall, Negeri Sembilan 8PM 19 June (Sunday) • GSC Sunway Carnival, Penang 2PM • GSC Ipoh Parade, Perak 8PM See you guys there!! For more info: http://bit.ly/GSCIDRInvasion
Posted by Golden Screen Cinemas on Thursday, 16 June 2016

Additionally, everyone that purchases a GSC Combo 3 or Signature Large Combo 1 of popcorn and drinks will get a complimentary mini moon tug.


Pop culture licensee Funko have released a line of figurines that include characters like David Levinson and Alien fighters from the original ID4 and the new Independence Day Resurgence.



Some blogs have reported that there are other toys like blasters and both alien and ESD jets  but we no not yet whether these will be brought into Malaysia.


Independence Day : Resurgence hits cinemas on June 23rd and you wouldn’t want to miss out this epic sequel to science fiction phenomenon which marked your younger days. A bit of nostalgia, mixed in with space drama.



Disclaimer: Independence Day and other trademarks are copyright to 20th Century Fox, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.

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