Home Entertainment Review: Independence Day Resurgence Prepares For The Home Invasion

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Independence Day: Resurgence, the epic sequel from disaster virtuoso Roland Emmerich and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, is preparing a mass invasion and global takeover when the summer blockbuster releases into the home market October 2016.

Independence Day: Resurgence, has most are aware reunites the cast from the 1996 mega Alien thriller, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox and Mad Scientist Brent Spiner, and adds a cast of young talent Liam Hemsworth, Jesse T. Usher, Maika Monroe, with Patrick St. Esprit, William Fichtner and Sela Ward as the President of the United States.  

Independence Day: Resurgence picks up twenty years after the Aliens were defeated in a massive takedown by Captain Steven Hiller, played by Will Smith, who doesn't return for the sequel, and David Levinson, played by Jeff Goldblum, the computer tech genesis who cares more for the environment than politics and policy.

As survivors of the Alien invasion society has thrived in unprecedented ways, the fusion of technologies have advanced the possibilities at one time considered impossible modernizing infrastructure, transportation, space travel and intergalactic work/life stations, medicines and other sciences.

War, as survivors have decided to take the unfortunate and create a better society built on the foundation and principles that better society as a whole.

With that as the back story, within the first five minutes its clear the Aliens have been dormant, not dead, for the last twenty years. Defeated by a makeshift military, rallied by the words of a dedicated president, the aliens have regrouped and are staking claim once again to the planet Earth.

No one does disaster like Roland Emmerich and with that and with the deepest respect for the director, I feel as a reviewer I could simply say The Box office was ready for his genesis and sometimes I think that may be true.

This time however I think it may be a combination so knowing the film is headed for the Home Entertainment market, streaming platforms and DVD sales, which I say purchase and watch again and again as I'm often told a final edit may have made the film or review much better.

For me a glaring absence was Vivica A. Fox's character's conclusion. She telephones her son, played by Jessie T. Usher and in heartfelt and genuine motherly concern sends him her love through a mother's simple "Be careful." And that's the last the audience hears or sees of Ms. Fox. No conclusion, no mothering just checking ringtone at the wrong moment, simply gone.

Of course all reviewers have mentioned the absence of Will Smith. Yes. Having Will smith would have been an addition and carried the film to a greater audience. The problem is that while absent in spirit present in every piece of dialogue spoken by our two upstarts, played by Liam Hemsworth and Jessie T. Usher.

Granted the reactions are probably the same. Lots of who-rah and exclamations of military dominance I want to say without hitting the depth which portrays the actual. At some points during the dogfight scenes the pilots were delivery the lines, the push of the yell; achieved while chopping wood or a martial arts ki, the yell behind the power punching or board breaking, was absent.

Then of course, I'm sure the executives were encouraging when they said, bigger, bigger and when it comes to the Aliens, bigger isn't always more formidable. The skyscraper height of the alien, seemed more along the lines of Transformer fame.  Having the massive mothership was enough to gather the regenerative strength of the alien.

My last critique would be to have Bill Pullman shave earlier. One mad scientist in the film is enough and with Oaken (Brent Spiner) having the corner on the crazy market, former President Monroe could at least be clean shaven as he presents PTSD visions.

For those who plan of picking up a copy expect a whole lot more than simply the mega thrill ride seen in theaters. The Home Entertainment Release has added special extras not seen before. Included in IDR Special features are eight deleted scenes with audio commentary from Roland Emmerich, The War of 1196, It's Early, ABQ, Another Day: The Making of Independence Day: Resurgence (available as Digital HD Extra on DVD), Gag Reel, Concept Art and Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots.

The technological advancements and graphics were captivating and mesmerizing. The arch was very real and present. The nation was at war with an unknown force that while only a few understood the possibilities, the power of the aliens like the ground troops had learned from their weaknesses.

Needless to say, and critics be damned, no one does disaster like Roland and like his other masterpiece 2012, I'll sit around and watch Independence Day: Resurgence until I can quote the dialogue.

Independence Day: Resurgence is an action packed, special effect masterpiece from the genius of Roland Emmerich who takes the art of disaster filmmaking to another level.

Independence Day: Resurgence arrives on Digital HD on September 27 and on 4K Ultra HD Disc, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD October 18.