Independence Day (1996)

Genre : Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

On July 2nd, all communications systems in the world are disturbed by a strange interference. The military discovers that a mysterious objects are on a collision course with Earth. At first thought to be meteors, they are later revealed to be gigantic alien spacecrafts. Meanwhile, a giant alien mothership orbits around Earth and deploys hundreds of 15 miles width, saucer-shaped spacecraft.

As all of the alien spacecrafts take positions over some of Earth's major cities, David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), an MIT-graduate scientist in New York City, discovers hidden satellite transmissions which he believes to be a timer counting down to a coordinated massive attack by the alien troops against the human race. With the help of his ex-wife Constance Spano (Margaret Colin), a White House employee, David and his father Julius Levinson (Judd Hirsch) gain entrance into the Oval Office to warn President Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman) of the impending attack.

On July 3rd, the United States conducts a coordinated counterattack. Their weapons fail to penetrate the aliens craft's force field, and it responds by releasing hundreds of alien fighter, and a one-sided dogfight ensues. Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith), a USAF pilot, manages to survive the attack by luring a single alien fighter to the Grand Canyon, ejects just before running out of fuel, and crash-lands in the desert. Hiller is picked up by a convoy of survivors, and takes him to nearby Area 51, a top secret government facility, commanded by Major Mitchell (Adam Baldwin).

On July 4th, Levinson and Hiller devise a plan to implant a computer virus into the alien mothership and plant a nuclear bomb on board. With satellite communications knocked out, the US military use Morse code to coordinate a massive attack with the remaining forces around the world. With not enough military pilots to man all available aircraft, the battle requires several volunteers, including President Whitmore, to fight back against the enslaving aliens.
Now the world's only hope lies with a determined band of survivors, uniting for one last strike against the invaders - before it's the end of mankind. July 4th becomes the day humanity will fight for its freedom. July 4th is their Independence Day.

Director : Roland Emmerich
Awards : Won Oscar
Rating : 7/10