Rating: Summary: A special effects feast Review: Forget about character development, a solid plot, or originality because this film has none of those traits. And why should it. ID4 is not about any of those things. It is quite simply pure entertainment. The special effects are amazing and very well conceived. The cast does a fine job with the dialogue that they were given. Of course even they knew that the real stars of this film were the visuals. On DVD the film looks great. Although this is a pure theater picture the small screen is still a worth while place for ID4. The DVD is loaded with extras that really make the purchase worth it. And the film absolutely looks better on DVD than the VHS version, even though it is THX. For fans of science fiction, or just films that rock with visual and sound effects don't miss it. For those looking for character and plot you need to try elsewhere.
Rating: Summary: ID4 still rocks! Review: The time me and my dad went to go see Independence Day at the theaters in 1996, it completely blew me away! Now it's on DVD and it's almost as good as it was in the theaters. Even though it is a little cheesy and stupid in parts, the scenes where the White House and the Empire State Building gets blown to bits is just awesome! Bill Pullman and Will Smith put on a reasonably good performance and the special effects were probably ground-braking. If you don't have it yet, go buy it now!
Rating: Summary: The story was 'fair', but the movie ROCKS! Review: I just got this 2 DVD set, and IT PAYS TO WAIT! Good thing I didn't invest in the VHS version of this movie, and I got mine on sale at Best Buy ... At any rate, the DVD version is worth viewing for:1.The added scenes, 2.the great sound, 3.special effects, 4.The stellar cast, and MOST IMPORTANTLY for the BONUS DVD CONTENTS, which include: The Making Of ID4, commentary from the directors, producers, and cast, and INTERACTIVE material if you own a DVD-ROM! If you love a great DVD 'package', you won't be disappointed with this blockbuster.
Rating: Summary: WHAT"S THE DEAL? Review: Why can't anyone enjoy what this movie really is. It is one of those movies where you sit back and enjoy a movie, instead of worrying about plot, which is about creatures come to destroy Earth and the people who preval. So sit back and enjoy a good ol fashioned "American" movie.
Rating: Summary: One star too many Review: This was, possibly, the worst movie I have ever seen in my life. The film lacked a convincing plot throughout. The acting was poor to trite at best. And, the special effects were an awe inspiring waste of resources, money, and time.I'd much rather watch an Ed Wood film...on "special edition".
Rating: Summary: Classic Sci-Fi story with a multi-million dollar budget. Review: Man, what a fun movie. A total visual and emotional feast (notice how I left out the word "intellectual"). But intellectual stimulation is not what this movie is about. This movie makes references (and perhaps pays the "multi-million dollar" homage) to the themes of some of the classic Hollywood sci-fi flicks over the past 50-odd years. First, you have the city scaled, massive spacecraft hovering over major cities...can anyone remember the 1982 TV series "V" which also borrowed that theme from classic 50's sci-fi flicks as well? I mean, the giant sun-blocking spacecraft hovering overhead is as old as science fiction, yet it still impresses the hell out of us when we see it. The ending scenes with Goldblum and his laptop inputting a computer virus in to the mothership: an obvious borrowing from "War of the Worlds" but instead of the virus being biological it was technological. The aliens themselves "consuming every natural resource and then moving on": the Borg on Star Trek, The Next Generation. There are other subtle references in the movie as well. Throw in a good mix of underdog, regular Joe characters that have to come together to save humanity and you've got classic sci-fi on your hands. Unfortunately, Europeans need not apply in seeing this flick as many of them (once again) deplore the lack of any other nationalities getting much air time and wait while the Americans do all the work. This is purely an American flick. Sorry. In short, it's classic sci-fi done in a modern setting and I'm sure the formula will still prevail 30 years from now when another movie is made in a very similar vein, using very similar concepts involving Hollywood sci-fi that have been around since printed film was invented. And yes, I'll go see it then, too.
Rating: Summary: DVD Problems Review: I enjoyed this on VHS and was looking forward to watching the DVD. So far two copies have not loaded on my Toshiba DVD. I post this only in case others are having similar problems.
Rating: Summary: ID4 Delivers Review: Great movie in the theater because of the special effects. So it's "War of the Worlds" updated, but some sequences are absolutely awesome. Still good on television, especially if you have a large screen.
Rating: Summary: ID4 - Excellent movie, poor director commentary (DVD) Review: The Special Edition DVD contains all the standard fare for DVD: Extra footage, some deleted scenes, and director / fx commentary. Exceptional DVD transfer, with no noticable pops or artifacts. The audio is a bit unbalanced at times, particularly with the effects shots (overwhelmingly loud), but the score is powerful and well balanced (Dolby 5.1). Watch out though: The director's commentary is very, very weak. Roland Emmerich contributes very little in the way of interesting facts, story development, or ..heck, ANYTHING of interest. Overall, the DVD is worth having for the additional scenes, and the original biplane ending (separate track), but the director's commentary is worthless.
Rating: Summary: "Kick the tires and light the fires!" Review: I really have to say that this movie is a real crowd pleaser because it appeals to the whole of the audience. There is something in it for everyone and if you have not seen it, then what are you waiting for? This movie was made for DVD format, and the picture quality and sound pratically jump out of the screen. Now I know you are wondering if you should get this movie or not. It is worth being coded to DVD? Yes. Are the new scenes super spectacular? No. Although this 2 disc DVD set is soo full of content, does the special edition really make this spectacular movie any greater? Not really. The new added scenes just add to character content within the movie. It really is wierd that I still get pretty sad when I watch the scene when the president learns that his wife is dying and his daughter asks if she is sleeping now. That really adds alot to the movie by giving us a dose of reality that nothing bad happens to the good guys. Another example is when William Wallace loses his wife in Braveheart. Overall this is a good DVD to get if you are a huge fan of the movie. Hope this helps with some questions you might have of the Special Edition.
|