CAST

Will Smith
Bill Pullman
Jeff Goldblum
Mary McDonnell
Judd Hirsch
Robert Loggia
Randy Quaid
Margaret Colin
James Rebhorn
Harvey Fierstein
Vivica A. Fox
DIRECTED BY

Roland Emmerich
PURCHASE

Movie
Soundtrack
Book
Poster
"I'm just a little anxious to get up there and whup E.T.'s ass."
Time: 145 mins.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action/Science Fiction

Won Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Nominated for Best Sound.
CAPSULE REVIEW –– I like everyone else love the big summer blockbuster. However, I was more than a little disappointed by this special effects laden piece of mediocrity. Not that the effects were bad. They were actually the only good thing about ID4. Sure, it has a great cast and the world's most famous monuments being blown into kingdom come, but the lack of story is appalling and what's left is a hodgepodge of bad one-liners and over-the-top emotion. Were parts of it exciting? Absolutely. Some of it funny? Yes, because of Goldblum, Hirsch and Quaid. Is Smith a great action hero? You betcha. He has a wonderful mixture of physical strength, keen intelligence and a wicked sense of humor, all on display here. His presence is what makes this film at all watchable. Hell, he even made WILD WILD WEST somewhat amusing. The filmmakers try to infuse heart into this movie by giving the leading men love troubles, but it just dilutes the main point of the film – to kick alien ass. Why would we care about these women when the fate of the world is at stake? I know it's supposed to bring the horror of the situation home, but if you can't feel sorry for the millions who die initially, what's one more death supposed to do? If you like your sci-fi fast-paced and loud without a story to get in the way of the visuals, ID4 is the film for you.