Independence Day Resurgence Review
The Plot
Two decades after the first Independence Day invasion, a rebuilt Earth is faced with a new even more determined alien threat. But will mankind’s new space defenses be enough to save humanity this time?
The Good
Director Roland Emmerich returns to the beloved world of Independence Day, bringing back Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman and Vivica A. Fox to lead a new generation (Maika Monroe, Jessie T. Usher and Liam Hemsworth) into another intergalactic battle.
It’s a joy to see the old cast return, even if it is without Will Smith who’s character has been unceremoniously killed off-screen. With five screenwriters attached, the twenty year gap is managed well, with the world now having straightened itself up after the last attack, using their newfound alien technology to further their own space age warfare in preparation for more attacks.
But soon enough, the aliens return. Bigger and badder and with all new rebuilt landmarks to destroy. Thankfully, the world is somewhat more prepared this time, with Liam Hemsworth’s Jake Morrison part of the recently built moon base. However, it’s not enough to prepare them for what’s to come.
The Bad
This long-awaited sequel never manages to top the effect it’s predecessor had on audiences. While visual effects have indeed been updated drastically since 1996, the destruction feels less incredible as a result. More is shown this time, leaving it feeling marginally less impactful.
What’s also disappointing, is the scripts tendency to feel messier in its characterization. At a running time of two hours exactly, (25 minutes shorter than its predecessor) Independence Day: Resurgence somehow manages to cram in more plot threads while not focusing enough on any group to give a sense of who should be the main characters of the piece. It comes as more of a let-down when the younger generation is set up pretty well with Maika Monroe and Jessie T. Usher serving as the family connections to the first installment, only to feel underused.
Perhaps Emerich should have looked to The Force Awakens as inspiration for how to properly pass a story down to the next generation without relying too heavily on the likes of Goldblum and Pullman. It’s even more dismaying to see an awful attempt at retreading the iconic Presidential speech for which the first film is so fondly remembered. Resurgence kicks off with a throwback to this classic moment and that’s really where it should have left it. Instead we get a half-hearted attempt at Bill Pullman again rousing the rally for earths last stand . Though purposefully downplayed it it’s still a transparent attempt to lazily recapture some of the original film’s former glory.
The Ugly Truth
Independence Day: Resurgence is a bigger, darker sequel that hosts the return of the actors that made the first such a success (minus Will Smith) and brings in a new generation of alien attackers to lead the franchise. Unfortunately it doesn’t hold a candle to its far superior predecessor and ultimately becomes a disappointing mess instead of what could have been a fun summer blockbuster.
Review by Johnny Ellis
Jack Reacher Never Go Back Trailer
The somewhat ironically titled Jack Reacher sequel now has an official trailer. Jack Reacher Never Go Back sees Tom Cruise go back to playing the ruthlessly efficient former army intelligence officer based on the bestsellingLee Child book series. This time Reacher finds himself reluctantly caught up in yet another deadly conspiracy when the new head of his former military unit (Cobie Smulders) finds herself framed for espionage. Full official trailer below courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
A United Kingdom Opens London Film Festival 2016
The 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express is delighted to announce that this year’s Opening Night gala will be Amma Asante’s A UNITED KINGDOM, the true story of Seretse Khama, King of Bechuanaland (modern Botswana), and Ruth Williams, the London office worker he married in 1947 in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments.
The film will receive its European premiere on Wednesday 5 October at the Odeon Leicester Square, attended by cast and filmmakers with Asante, David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike expected on the red carpet. There will be a live cinecast from the London event and simultaneous screenings taking place at cinemas across the UK.
A UNITED KINGDOM is directed by Asante (Belle) from a screenplay by Guy Hibbert (Eye in the Sky), based on the book Colour Bar by Susan Williams. The cast is led by David Oyelowo (Selma) as Seretse Khama with Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) playing his future wife Ruth Williams. Other cast includes Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean), Terry Pheto (Mandela), Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Arnold Oceng (Adulthood), Jack Lowden (’71) and Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey).
Clare Stewart, BFI London Film Festival Director, says:
“Amma Asante’s A UNITED KINGDOM is testament to a defiant and enduring love story that also reveals a complex, painful chapter in British history. We are proud to be opening the 60th BFI London Film Festival with a film of such contemporary relevance, one that celebrates the triumph of love and intelligence over intolerance and oppression, and that confirms Asante as a distinctive and important British filmmaker.”
Director Amma Asante comments:
“It’s a great privilege that A UNITED KINGDOM has been selected as the Opening Night Film of the BFI London Film Festival. The Festival means a lot to me personally, having showcased my very first film, A Way of Life, here and been honoured with the UK Film Talent Award. I’m a proud Londoner and in A UNITED KINGDOM we’ve been able to film in some of the most beautiful parts of the city as well as in the wonderful landscapes of Botswana.”
The film is produced by Rick McCallum (Star Wars), David Oyelowo, Justin Moore-Lewy, Brunson Green (The Help) and Charlie Mason. The film is executive produced by Pathé’s Cameron McCracken, BBC Films’ Christine Langan, the BFI’s Ben Roberts, Ingenious Media’s Eleanor Clark Windo and Guy Hibbert.
The film is a Pathé, BBC Films, BFI, Ingenious presentation with the participation of Canal + and Cine + of a Yoruba Saxon/Harbinger Pictures/Perfect Weekend/ Film United Production of a film by Amma Asante. Pathé will distribute the film in the UK and France and will handle sales throughout the rest of the world.
The 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 5 October-Sunday 16 October 2016. The full Festival programme will be announced on Thursday 1 September 2016.
Preacher Episode Four Review
The Plot
Jesse makes Quincannon a bet he can’t refuse, Cassidy works to fend off the angels, and Tulip tries to bring Justice to Annville.
The Good
Joe Gilgun again provides the main highlights in this slow but intriguing fourth episode, entitled Monster Swamp with his botched attempt at trying to explain the current situation regarding Jesse’s two angelic agents hunting down the power within him, all while carrying an apple pipe. While Jesse continues on still none the wiser on his current predicament, three flashback scenes peppered throughout the episode give a bit more depth to his relationship with his father. While they don’t particularly drive the story too much, the answer to the questions that came with our first glimpse of Jesse’s father seems to be drawing closer.
Meanwhile, Tulip is driven by revenge in the episode’s namesake plot which sees a cold open in which a young girl, Lacie, fall down a swamp hole and die. With Tulip’s anger issues resulting in her accidentally throwing Cassidy out a window in a case of mistaken identity, more hilarity ensues as she desperately rushes him to the hospital and even gives him a kiss for good measure before finding out his bloodthirsty secret.
Again this week, Jesse seems to be very restrained when using his power, opting to bide his time and convert Jackie Earle Haley’s previously stubborn anti-religious Quincannon. It’s a smart power move having a congregation witness this apparent miracle and gives an interesting route for Quincannon’s character for next week.
Perhaps the most intriguing piece of information that Monster Swamp gives us is the fact that Flore and DeBlanc are down on earth without permission. Sitting nervously in waiting for Cassidy to bring Jesse to them as they bicker over whether to call up their ambiguous unnamed boss and risk revealing what they’re up to.
The Bad
After last week’s episode seemingly picked up the pace and powered on with the story, this weeks again drops it slightly. Four episodes in, Jesse’s lack of usage on his power is beginning to become a problem. It’s also with a heavy heart that we find the Johnny Cash motif has well and truly been dropped.
The Ugly Truth
Another slow burner this week, but with enough entertaining moments (mainly from Joe Gilgun’s wickedly dry and sarcastic performance) to keep us going as the plot thickens a touch more.
Review by Johnny Ellis
Anton Yelchin Dies At 27
Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin has died after a freak car accident at his Los Angeles home. The news leaves his fans, family and co-stars in heartbroken shock and disbelief.
Young rising star Yelchin had appeared in film’s such as Alpha Dog, Green Room & Like Crazy as well as playing Pavel Chekov in the new Star Trek trilogy. The next installment in he franchise Star Trek Beyond is due for release just next month, with Yelchin once again reprising the iconic role originally made famous by Walter Koenig.
Among the many tributes that have flooded in for the young actor, his Star Trek colleagues have been among the most prominent:
Director JJ Abrams paid tribute to the brilliant Yelchin saying:
“Anton You were brilliant. You were Kind. You were funn as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren’t here nearly long enough. Missing You JJ”
Star Trek Beyond Director Justin Lin added his own praise and devastated response to the news:
“Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.”
Co-star Zachery Quinto who plays Spock in the franchise wrote on instagram:
“Our dear friend. Our comrade. Our Anton. One of the most open and intellectually curious people I have ever had the pleasure to know. So enormously talented and generous of heart. Wise beyond his years. And gone before his time. All love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.”
No doubt fans across the world will hare those sentiments and more the loss of one of cinemas brightest young lights.