Independence Day

[Johnny Canuck3]

You're a Canadian sticking up for the Americans? Have you no shame!

I'm not sticking up for anybody. I'm just marvelling at the simplemindedness of hating something as fluffy and shallow as Independence Day.

 

[Calva dosser]

But for the pork and alcohol bits, I could almost join the other side.

And don't squirm again Johnny, it sets the seismographs off

 

[Nemo]

I'm not sticking up for anybody. I'm just marvelling at the simplemindedness of hating something as fluffy and shallow as Independence Day.

I suspect the reason a lot of British people (including myself) hate Independence Day so much is because it commits the ultimate crime of taking itself too seriously. Add in the vulgar and ostentatious displays of patriotism and it becomes pretty much the archetype of the antithesis of Brit-friendly art.

 

[Calva dosser]

But are you taking unecessary offence at something fluffy and shallow, or have you a chip on your shoulder?

You can have it both ways with Johnny boy

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

I suspect the reason a lot of British people (including myself) hate Independence Day so much is because it commits the ultimate crime of taking itself too seriously. .

What a bizarre take on a movie where Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith pilot an alien spaceship to deliver a virus, while Randy Quaid flies a fighter jet up the backside of another alien craft.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

But are you taking unecessary offence at something fluffy and shallow, or have you a chip on your shoulder?

)

There have been lots of exhibitions of the combination on this thread.

 

[Nemo]

What a bizarre take on a movie where Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith pilot an alien spaceship to deliver a virus, while Randy Quaid flies a fighter jet up the backside of another alien craft.

True nonetheless imo. It has a rod rammed a hell of a long way up its arse. I mean, you can't deny that the President's nauseating speech is delivered straight, can you?

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

True nonetheless imo. It has a rod rammed a hell of a long way up its arse. I mean, you can't deny that the President's nauseating speech is delivered straight, can you?

Sure it is, but it's an american movie, and even american audiences would either yawn or roll their eyes a little at the hokey tie in to the movie title. It's all about the title and the sought-after summer blockbuster status. Without that speech, how could they use that title?

With stuff like that, just do like you do with tv commercials, since they share a similar purpose. Let your eyes glaze over, and your ears tune out, and refocus when another good explosion comes along.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

All you british people should try to dispense with your inferiority complex, and just enjoy the flick.

Yeah, like nobody British has ever enjoyed a feelgood/good fun film before. to infinity...

 

[YoursTruly]

I cannot watch this. It makes me cringe too much.

Well at least it has decent FX.

Now...if you really want stomach turning cringyness...how about "Robin Of Sherwood" with Kevin Kostner & Christian Slater?

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Well at least it has decent FX.

Now...if you really want stomach turning cringyness...how about "Robin Of Sherwood" with Kevin Kostner & Christian Slater?

Nah, that film is a true 'so bad its good' classic, with a cracking turn from Rickman as the sheriff. A fantastic piece of crap.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Yeah, like nobody British has ever enjoyed a feelgood/good fun film before. to infinity...

Well then quitcherbitchin' about Independence Day.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Well then quitcherbitchin' about Independence Day.

I just didn't think it was a very good film of its type.

 

[May Kasahara]

Nah, that film is a true 'so bad its good' classic, with a cracking turn from Rickman as the sheriff. A fantastic piece of crap.

It does exert a kind of horrible fascination for me. I especially love how Costner gives up any pretence at the accent within the first five minutes of the film, just like he always does.

Plus it has perhaps the most classic example of one of my most hated movie manipulations: the female lead who starts out tough and capable and independent (cos that's what modern women want these days, they're out there doing it all and they want their film characters to reflect that) but who ends up all girly and terrified and shit (because that's what women really want, for some swinging dick in cheap tights to come and rescue them).

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

I just didn't think it was a very good film of its type.

That's fine, but the criticism here isn't about the film's failure as a summer action movie; it's criticism of the film as a piece of propaganda for american imperialism.

 

[London_Calling]

because that's what women really want, for some swinging dick in cheap tights to come and rescue them

They don't? I knew I'd been going wrong somewhere . . . .


Otherwise, I like that kind of stirring analysis. Veh nice.