Independence Day: Resurgence (DVD)

Stars: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Maika Monroe, Jessie T Usher, Travis Tope, Judd Hirsch, Charlotte Gainsbourg, William Fichtner, Robert Loggia

Director: Roland Emmerich

It has taken two decades for the antagonistic aliens first encountered in Independence Day to boldly return and set out to reboot the elimination of Mankind they first attempted back in 1996.

So, almost inevitably, the sequel strikes back, once more under the captainship of director (and co-writer, with Dean Devlin) Roland Emmerich who, having taken two decades to get around to re-launching his 20th century hit, sensibly serves up more of the same – one damn thing after another - only bigger, louder and in effective 3D to meet 21st century audience expectations.

Returning star Jeff Goldblum, who now finds himself in Darkest Africa where the only alien ship that landed in 1996, is now under the ‘stewardship’ of local African warlord Deobia Oparei (greeted, American-style, by Goldblum with "Hoody Doody!”), neatly sums up the basic storyline with “Oh my God, it’s the same pattern!”

Which basically means if you’re seeking a speedily served mishmash of vigorous action and impressively delivered special effects and not really concerned to savour smart dialogue or key and enthusiastic actors with little depth but enough sheer enthusiasm to carry the story along from one eye-boggling explosion of Oscar-worthy movie magic, then Resurgence delivers.

Alan Frank

USA 2016. UK Distributor: 20th Century Fox. Colour by deluxe.
115 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 12.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 20 Nov 2016