The first Independence Day, absolutely terrified me growing up. 

My sister loved the film and although she hates watching things more than once, I was sickened to discover that ID was the exception to the rule.

Given that when the film was originally released I was a newborn, when I got around to actually seeing the film I was probably drawn to it by Will Smith. What I was unaware of was that the aliens would be a scar on my fragile mind.

Because of how frightening I found them, I have watched ID with a mental block on the aliens. 

Fast forward 20 years later (omg old) and I was actually really excited about the prospect of a sequel, having seen a really cool trailer so I made it a point to make it my film for June. 

Armed with bags of popcorn and other non healthy foods, my friend Deborah and I popped down to a local cinema and settled in. 

With Independence Day: Resurgence (IDR hereafter), two decades have passed since aliens rudely attacked Earth and killed over three billion people. The United Nations then set up the Earth Space Defense (ESD) to serve as a means of protection and an early warning system if an attack were to happen again (and this will definitely happen because then 2010s is the year of reboots and sequels). It is generally assumed that if anything were to happen, Earth would stand a much better chance than before because they are now using alien technology to aid themselves. 

Old faces return in the form of Jeff Goldblum as scientist David Levinson, Judd Hirsch as David's dad Julius, Brett Spiner as Dr Brackish Okun, Vivica A.

Fox (unfortunately in nothing more than a cameo. They did you wrong Aunty) and Bill Pullman as former US President Thomas Whitmore* who is now a haggard sight with vivid nightmares of an impending alien attack. 

New faces appear in 'lead' Liam Hemsworth as the arrogant, headstrong pilot Jake Morrison, Jessie Usher as Captain Dylan Hiller, the son of the quickly explained now deceased Will Smith character and Maika Monroe as Whitmore's daughter, pilot and speechwriter to Sela Ward's US President. 

Whitmore's nightmares prove to be true, this time the aliens are led by their unbelievably powerful queen. Much chaos ensues. Throughout the film, characters keep hammering at us and each other that these new aliens are so evolved that Earth and mankind stand no chance to defeat them. It's all very pessimistic.

This film is American patriotism to the core. After the film was over, Deborah said to me that this could never be set in the UK, which I definitely agree with. It's just about how America is coming to the rescue of the world. 

The nearly $200 million budget isn't the only big thing about IDR as director Roland Emmerich rivals Michael Bay for how damn big you can make an action film. 

It looks like most of the budget went into visuals which for the most part was stunning but also a lot of other times, the green screen in non-action scenes was painfully obvious. It makes you wonder how they can make people flying through space look real but not someone who is literally just standing. 

I got in a few laughs, the tone of the film is very light given the dire circumstances. I'd also advise you to not think too much when it comes to this movie, and pretty much all action/disaster movies - there is just no point. You'll lose your mind questioning every detail and applying common sense. 

IDR has a pretty low rating - on IMDB it's 5 - but in my opinion that's a little harsh. I'd rate it at least a 7 because it's a good film, not great, cheesy and a little by-the-books but it does have some twists and it is an entertaining summer blockbuster. 

Emmerich says that he has plans for a third and it's going to have to be a no from me Roland. 

How many times can aliens invade the Earth and we win? Will we lose next time? Will we be the aliens?! Like Liam Neeson in the Taken franchise, if it's the same reason for a third film then dude, you're just careless. 

*it seems like I am full of anecdotes about my sister but this one takes the cake. She is OBSESSED with Bill Pullman as President Whitmore and will go to great lengths to prove you wrong if you think otherwise. We can't watch a film with a President in it without her declaring that they will never be as flawless as Pullman was. Mate, she even compares him to current 44th President of these United States of America Barack Obama. *rolls eyes so far back you can only see the whites of my eyes*

By the way, I found these new aliens not be scary to look at so that's a good thing.