To celebrate the release of Independence Day: Resurgence, I thought I’d go back and watch the original Independence Day movie. It's a milestone movie full of excitement, suspense, action and comic relief. And it will always be remembered as the movie that made Will Smith a Hollywood legend, and one of Jerry Bruckheimer’s best movies. The form of video essay has grown in popularity over the last couple years because it’s a great way to dig deeper into the magic of movies. ID4, as it’s commonly referred to, is a perfect movie to explore through the video essay because of how awesome it is. I hope you enjoy revisiting this classic as much as I did!
Film
Video Essay: Independence Day, a Milestone in Special Effects, Comic Relief, and More
As Independence Day: Resurgence hits theaters, Kentucker Audley's video essay looks back at the original film.

Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
Related Stories
How Erotic Cinema Set Me Free
Corrin Evans, whose feature directorial debut, Corpus, premieres at Fantasia this weekend, on swapping religion for cinematic sensuality.
The Numb Stage of Nymphomania
Writer-director Georgia Bernstein on hypersexualization, classic erotic thrillers, In the Mood for Love and her debut feature, Night Nurse.
Nobody’s Ever Asked Me That: Abel Ferrara
The legendary writer-director opens up about everything from Buddhism and bad acid trips to social media addiction and sobriety.
The Stories We Invent Before We Have Language
Rhythm is a Dancer’s writer-director-star Lauren Caster on donor conception, language and a lifelong search for belonging.
What I Learned Directing My First Franchise Film
Kimmy Gatewood on how she thought big and gained expertise on the fly while helming her new movie, Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.
On Being Fired
Actor and singer Alicia Witt, whose David Lynch-inspired album Between Heaven and Earth is now on preorder, shares a universal experience.





