Plot & Details
A group of intrepid humans attempts to save the Earth from vicious extraterrestrials in this extremely popular science-fiction adventure. Borrowing liberally from War of the Worlds, Aliens, and every sci-fi invasion film inbetween, director Roland Emmerich and producer and co-writer Dean Devlin present a visually slick, fast-paced adventure filled with expensive special effects and large-scale action sequences. The story begins with the approach of a series of massive spaceships, which many on Earth greet with open arms, looking forward to the first contact with alien life. Unfortunately, these extraterrestrials have not come in peace, and they unleash powerful weapons that destroy most of the world's major cities. Thrown into chaos, the survivors struggle to band together and put up a last-ditch resistance in order to save the human race. As this is a Hollywood film, this effort is led by a group of scrappy Americans, including a computer genius who had foreseen the alien's evil intent (Jeff Goldblum), a hot-shot jet pilot (Will Smith), and the President of the United States (Bill Pullman). While some critics objected to the film's lack of originality and lapses in logic, the combination of grand visual spectacle and crowd-pleasing storytelling proved irresistible to audiences, resulting in an international smash hit.
- MPAA Rating: PG-13
- Genre(s): Drama,Horror
- Run Time: 145min.
- Theatrical Release Date: 07/03/1996
- DVD Release Date: 06/27/2000
- Distributor(s): 20th Century Fox
- Director(s): Roland Emmerich
- Starring: Will Smith , Bill Pullman , Jeff Goldblum , Mary McDonnell , Judd Hirsch
- Themes: Heads of State,End of the World,Heroic Mission,Evil Aliens
- Tone: Humorous,Frantic,Ominous,Rousing,Tense,Flashy
- Keywords: alien [not human],computers,destruction,disaster,earth,inheritance,invasion,prevention,race-against-time,rescue,spacecraft,world-destruction
- Country of Origin: USA - 3D (07-03-2013),USA (07-02-1996)
- Language: English
Awards
Academy Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Visual Effects | Joseph Viscocil | Won |
| 1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Sound | Jeff Wexler | Nominated |
| 1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Visual Effects | Volker Engel | Won |
| 1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Visual Effects | Won | |
| 1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Sound | Bill W. Benton | Nominated |
| 1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Sound | Bob Beemer | Nominated |
| 1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Sound | Chris Carpenter | Nominated |
| 1996 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Visual Effects | Douglas Hans Smith | Won |
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