First, the Recap:
They’re BAAAAACCCKKKK! It’s been twenty years since a very large, very hostile alien force once again chose Earth as its newest killing field, threatening our extinction, and pretty much ruining our 4th of July plans indefinitely. Finding a way to defeat them, Earth repelled the invaders and now, over time, has harnessed some of their technology to improve our own defenses against further attack. Not the deterrent we hoped for as stalwart genius David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), his father Julius (Judd Hirsch), nutty scientist Dr. Okun (Brent Spiner), and now-feeble President Whitmore (Bill Pullman) join forces with the hotshot pilot son of Capt. Steven Hiller, Dylan (Jessie T. Usher), Whitmore’s grown daughter Patricia (Maika Monroe), pilot Jake Morrison (Liam Hemsworth) and others to once again face the aliens, who are not only back, but far bigger and badder than ever.
Worth Seeing: yes & no
Next, my Mind:
Again, folks, this is Summer, and event films such as this are commonplace during the season, some good, some bad, and some “meh”. For this reviewer, director Roland Emmerich’s long-gestating sequel ends up being part what you want in this style of film and part disappointment for having to wait so absurdly long for this instead of striking while the iron was hot. Visual effects have come a long way in 20 years, and that certainly shows through, especially when watching this on an IMAX screen. Not that we expect Oscar-level material here, but the overall plot and atmosphere of the film feels forced in that “cashing-in” kind of way. Some wit, thanks to Goldblum, Hirsch, and Spiner, is present, but everyone else is ultimately walking through the paces. It’s a Summer event film, providing the visual goods, but might be best viewed in second run or cable. Yet, this reviewer cannot deny–there was an ending that could bring more–which COULD be cool if done right.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
