Okay, I admit it; I cry when a marching band goes by. I also tear up when God Bless America is sung. While I am free to criticize my government at times and do, I consider myself a Patriot, yes a capital “P” patriot.
July 4th, Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. My family gets up early and heads down to the parade, which I’m proud to say still happens every year and draws a huge crowd for this little slice of Americana. We sit right there on the street corner and watch the people go by, some friends for years. There is a price to be paid for this idealic event. The price of freedom. The price of standing up for what is right in our world, often costing the lives of our brave young men and women. America has a history of standing up, not backing down.
There are “must see” movies exemplifying this bravery. Independence Day may not be the deepest, or even the most well-acted, but for just sheer fun, it can’t be beat! This film dates back to 1996 but I just watched it again and enjoyed it almost as much as the first time I saw it.
The aliens are coming, the aliens are coming…and this time they really are. Apparently, out of nowhere every major city in the world has a massive spaceship hovering above. These mother ships have lots and lots of baby ships. At first the thought is to see if we can make new friends but it soon becomes obvious that they are here to annihilate humans and use our resources to sustain their own lives.
Independence Day’s strong suite is not plot, obviously. It’s the resilience of mankind. It’s got good guys, better guys and superheroes. Will Smith is cocky Marine fighter pilot, Captain Steven Hiller, who has had yet another rejection from NASA. There is the nerd, played as only Jeff Goldblum can, and a host of other recognizable names including Harry Connick, Jr., Vivica A. Fox, Randy Quaid, Judd Hirsch, Mary McDonnell, Robert Loggia and Margaret Colin.
What I like most about Independence Day is its spirit of optimism. America was founded on that ‘can do’ attitude. Bill Pullman plays President Thomas Whitmore. One morning he awakens to the find the mother ship of all mother ships literally hanging over his head. He and a few trusted others hop on Air Force One and head, well anywhere but Washington D.C. Since all the major cities have the same view in the sky, he ends up in California at Area 51—the very place where all this begun and not even the President had been privy to.
I couldn’t help but almost get to my feet and cheer when Mr. President, a former fighter pilot goes after the aliens! It’s totally unrealistic but it felt so good to have a real leader, top gun, top dog protecting the good old US of A!
So, don’t take this film too seriously. Don’t look too close, but do rent and enjoy it. It’s good family fare if the kids aren’t too young to hear some swear words. This movie just had to have a few. All in all, Independence Day, makes you stand up a little taller, hold your head a little higher and just plain makes you proud to be an American!
Something new in theaters: Regal Cinemas has a cutting edge new technology for the deaf and hearing impaired. These closed-captioned glasses developed by Sony are available on 6000 screens nationwide thanks to the 20 year dream ofRegal Senior Executive, Raymond Smith Jr. whose son Ryan is hearing impaired. I believe this to be a true American in action! As always I welcome your comments at Chastings@rockcliff.com.
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