The sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence, tries to build upon what made the first film special, though it doesn't quite succeed across the board. Liam Hemsworth does okay, but the writing lets him down; his character comes off as underdeveloped and easily overlooked. The plot is fairly basic and easy to guess, providing few unexpected moments or opportunities for a real connection with the characters. Efforts at come…

Independence Day: Resurgence turned out to be largely as anticipated. In fact, considering all the negative commentary circulating beforehand, it ended up being somewhat better than feared. As is frequently the case, those one and two-star ratings and declarations of “worst movie ever” were simply untrue. The original film’s primary appeal stemmed from its novelty; this installment essentially replicates that formula…

I’ve expressed my desire for sequels to films I enjoy countless times, but that isn’t something I’ll be hoping for with every movie—certainly not with something like 'Taken' or this one. These kinds of stories aren’t really built for extended series or a franchise. Nevertheless, they made it, and I watched it. Because my expectations were low, I wasn’t particularly invested in the ending. It didn't fare well critical…

The latest Hollywood spectacle, Independence Day: Resurgence, provides a diverting experience that’s been scarce among big-budget films recently, primarily because it avoids unnecessary complexity and focuses on the fundamentals of enjoyable, uncomplicated entertainment...