Independence Day (1996, USA) C-153m. SCOPE *½ D: Roland Emmerich. Starring Bill Pullman, Mary McDonnell, Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Will Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, James Rebhorn, Adam Baldwin, Brent Spiner, Harry Connick Jr, Harry Belafonte. Emmerich's immensely successful, immensely dumb blockbuster: Aliens have decided to besiege the Earth, and they are about to strike with incredible fierceness. Excellent (Oscar-winning) CGI effects keep you entertained for some time, but the script is so full of contrivances you'll be shaking your head at every ludicrous plot twist. The characters are especially annoying. Originally released at 145m.