The original was a textbook example of a sci-fi blockbuster. But the sequel turned out to be an exorbitant disaster. Tonight, you can watch the mishap on TV.
In 1996, German director Roland Emmerich delivered a true action-packed spectacle with Independence Day. Will Smith, playing the witty fighter pilot Steven Hiller who gave the aliens a serious beating, became a fan favorite, and the intense action scenes pleased audiences everywhere. Tonight, Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 8:15 PM on Sat.1, you can catch the sequel, which not only had to do without Will Smith, but also lacked many qualities that made the original so successful.
Twenty years after Independence Day, Roland Emmerich returned to his roots. After the aliens were defeated in 1996, they managed to send a signal just before their destruction, summoning reinforcements to Earth. As a result, humanity faces another alien invasion in Independence Day: Resurgence – but this time without Will Smith as the cocky alien hunter.
Instead, Dylan Dubrow Hiller (Jessie Usher) steps into his father’s shoes. Patrica Whitmore (Maika Monroe), the daughter of former U.S. President Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman), is now romantically involved with ex-fighter pilot Jake Morrison (Luke Hemsworth), who lost his parents in the first invasion and is now sworn to take revenge on the alien species. Meanwhile, scientist David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), now the head of Area 51, is also back on board, providing his vast knowledge to the U.S. military in the fight against the aliens.
Without giving too much away: The film’s ending hints at an ultimate battle in a third installment. However, due to mediocre box office returns and devastating reviews, no further sequel was made. The second film was already one that no one really wanted to see.
Independence Day: Resurgence: A Phenomenal Flop Independence Day: Resurgence managed to gross nearly $390 million at the box office. With a budget of $165 million, the sequel wasn’t a complete failure, but the result was far from impressive.
Critically, the film fared much worse. The professional reviews collected on Metacritic give it a miserable average score of 32 out of 100. On Rotten Tomatoes, the situation looks even bleaker for the blockbuster, with a critics’ rating of just 29 percent. Audience reception wasn’t much better, with a score of 30 percent showing significant disappointment.
If you want to experience the intergalactic mishap for yourself, tune in tonight at 8:15 PM on Sat.1. The original Independence Day can be found on Disney+.
