But it's Roland Emmerich. That's his thing. You go to a Roland Emmerich film expecitng absurd, over the top, crazy things to happen and that's exactly what you get. Expecting anything more is like going to a Michael Bay film and expecting a drama. So I don't think it's fair to say it's unwatchable because you know what you're in for before you even buy the ticket. If that's not your kind of movie, then why are you going to see it?honeybakedham said:That was some serious fawning over Roland Emmerich... a man who has never made an even barely watchable movie, and I'm including his German made English language debut, Moon 44.
No one can deny his skill as a technical craftsman. Yes, he can frame a shot and direct effects and you can even follow his action, unlike say, Micheal Bay. But no matter what popular opinion and nostalgia may be, Independence Day (or IQ4) is a giant mess based on the absolute sheer stupidity of it's ridiculous script. 2012, Day After Tomorrow, and everything else he's directed suffers each time from that same absurdity.
His films are built on connecting head slapping moments of unbelievable coincidence and groan inducing irrational and illogical plot points into Irwin Allen-esque road movies on steroids. Oh, the fighter pilot's stripper wife managed to save the President's Wife AND lead refugees, by accident, to the secret military base in the desert where Wil Smith is already there ready to save the world? Wow. Really? Oh, and the aliens can be destroyed by uploading a Mac Laptop virus? Are you kidding me?
Bob was right to call Emmerich "nuts", though he shouldn't have done it in a way that makes it sound endearing. The man is outright loony nuts... and while big action set pieces might seem awesome, nothing is ever awesome enough to make a bad story good. Films have to start with good stories and relatable characters and smartly written dialog before the alleged awesomeness of their big bangs and blow ups are gonna do any good.
Of course, I'm gonna see this movie eventually... because its a movie, and I see pretty much everything. But with all choices out there, this one can wait for the small screen. I see no reason to support yet another Emmerich disaster which is sure to please legions of non-discriminating Americans in need of two air conditioned hours out of the sun... but is still just another absurd excuse to hire a pyrotechnics guy.
I'm actually wondering if Bob is being serious on this one considering how this movie is getting slaughtered by other movie criticsMezmer said:I'm sorry. This is the same guy who made 2012? Ugh, that movie was SHIT. And Bob gave a glowing review of it. I'm gonna have to hard pass on this one, Bob.
Got to agree. I can't believe Bob loved this. Maybe because it fits his politics? 2012 was shit. Independence Day was his best flick, and it was an over-blown B movie anyhow.Mezmer said:I'm sorry. This is the same guy who made 2012? Ugh, that movie was SHIT. And Bob gave a glowing review of it. I'm gonna have to hard pass on this one, Bob.
You're right of course, but pretending Emmerich is somehow a good film maker because 'you know what you're getting' might as well apply to anyone from Michael Bay to M. Night. 2012 and The Day After Tomorrow were bad, stupid films. That's not to say Emmerich sucks all around, but I can just about guarantee that if Emmerich made a movie about Not George Bush shooting RPGs at an alliance of eco-terrorists, occupy people, and illegal immigrants with all the same gusto and silliness as his usual work it would be panned.Jacco said:But it's Roland Emmerich. That's his thing. You go to a Roland Emmerich film expecitng absurd, over the top, crazy things to happen and that's exactly what you get. Expecting anything more is like going to a Michael Bay film and expecting a drama. So I don't think it's fair to say it's unwatchable because you know what you're in for before you even buy the ticket. If that's not your kind of movie, then why are you going to see it?
The problem with the comparison is you're somehow equating eco-terrorists, occupy participants and illegal immigrants to... well, what the movie uses. Also, I think we've had plenty of films with Not-Not-Obama. x)Gorrath said:You're right of course, but pretending Emmerich is somehow a good film maker because 'you know what you're getting' might as well apply to anyone from Michael Bay to M. Night. 2012 and The Day After Tomorrow were bad, stupid films. That's not to say Emmerich sucks all around, but I can just about guarantee that if Emmerich made a movie about Not George Bush shooting RPGs at an alliance of eco-terrorists, occupy people, and illegal immigrants with all the same gusto and silliness as his usual work it would be panned.Jacco said:But it's Roland Emmerich. That's his thing. You go to a Roland Emmerich film expecitng absurd, over the top, crazy things to happen and that's exactly what you get. Expecting anything more is like going to a Michael Bay film and expecting a drama. So I don't think it's fair to say it's unwatchable because you know what you're in for before you even buy the ticket. If that's not your kind of movie, then why are you going to see it?
I actually like Independence Day for all of its faults but I also like Bad Boys 2 and other crappy films. While I'll withhold judgement until I see this film, the whole review does smack of getting a pass because it aligns with Bob's political ideologies.
In the fictional movie I'm imaging these eco-terrorists and such are just like the caricatures this movie seems to make of the 'right wing' groups Bob mentioned. I'm equating a completely fictional bunch of 'left wing' nuts with a bunch of fictional 'right wing' nuts. I'm not equating any real groups or ideologies here, and based on the group that Bob described, neither is the movie.Ferisar said:The problem with the comparison is you're somehow equating eco-terrorists, occupy participants and illegal immigrants to... well, what the movie uses. Also, I think we've had plenty of films with Not-Not-Obama. x)
At least until we get the sequel to Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Obama: Vampire Hunter.