Independence Day: Resurgence

Okay, reviews have been harsh. Some of that is warranted but I have to mention I despised the original after my initial viewing and grew to warm up to it over the years. It too, was a disaster, but some people are remembering it like it was an Academy Award winner. In any case, the failing of Resurgence is undoubtedly the casting. The absence of Will Smith leaves an unifiable void that can't be patched over with the poor casting choices of the younger actors. Their performances are wooden and depthless. There are cameos-o-plenty but they do little more than remind us how much we've all aged. There were some good ideas floating around but none of them were truly capitalized upon. The film borrows heavily from the Alien franchise in parts and even steals some concepts from Oblivion. Having said that, I didn't find it unwatchable. The action was continuous, the effects decent. The storyline was about all I expected - and let's be honest folks, all anyone should really expect. Suspend your disbelief and settle in for the ride. It's just a summer popcorn movie.