I N D E P E N D E N C E   D A Y

1996 ***** 145 mins. (Special Edition 153 mins.)

Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich's tale of aliens attacking Earth is amazing. The battle scenes are engaging, and the story, although filled with touching and emotional moments, does not drift into sentimentatlity. This film does not fall into the cliches of science fiction. This is a marvel of a film that will stand up forever.

After seeing this film again (and on the big screen), I appreciated it even more. The character interactions are superb, and one can truly feel everything that's going on. The world today should really take heed of this film's subliminal message of world peace and togetherness. I watched this film with my wife, Christy, and she said that one thing she really liked about the film was that it would set you up to think one thing is going to happen but then allow something different and unexpected to happen. The pacing of the film is perfect, and I guess I should stop now because I think you, the reader, gets the point. I absolutely love this film.
Rated PG-13 for langauge and sci-fi violence.

• Original theatrical aspect raio: 2.35:1
• Premiered in Westwood, California on June 25, 1996

• ACADEMY AWARD: Best Effects, Visual Effects (Volker Engel, Douglas Smith, Clay Pinney, and Joe Viskocil)
• ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION: Best Sound (Chris Carpenter, Bill W. Benton, Bob Beemer, and Jeff Wexler)