The REEL Addict 

Back when I was a wee teenage lad, having just returned to America after a stint in Germany, I stumbled into a theatre on July 4th weekend to see INDEPENDENCE DAY. From that day on, I knew July 4th was a special day in movies, one where you could sit down to a veritable feast of special effects, explosions, and gloriously over-the-top fun action drama. So here in no particular order are the best (and worst) Independence Day weekend movies I’ve seen in theatres.

Best FilmsSPIDER-MAN 2
Not only the best SPIDER-MAN movie, one of the best super-hero movies too date, but clearly in the top ranks of Independence Day weekend movies. It had everything an actually great film should have, regardless when it comes out. That being said, SPIDER-MAN 2 was a refreshing July release because it not only provided exciting action and high stakes, but thanks to its screenwriters also legitimate, accomplished drama.

TRANSFORMERS
I know there are a lot of people out there who don’t like TRANSFORMERS, but it is quintessentially what a July 4th movie should be like (right down to its flaws). Admittedly, perhaps I was able to enjoy the movie’s grand spectacle so much because I was never attached enough to the TV show to cringe in horror as the robots in disguise were turned into slightly goofy sidekicks. I also have nothing against Spielberg or Bay, at least not when they’re firing on all mainstream cylinders as they are here. Sure, it’s not a great film, but it’s a good summer movie, which is sort of the point of Independence Day movies.

TERMINATOR 2
If you even have to question why this movie is on the list, I’m not sure you’re a film buff. TERMINATOR 2 is one of the greatest action films ever made. Do I really need to say more?

INDEPENDENCE DAY
The one that truly started the whole Independence Day trend we have today. Sure, there were other movies, but I’d argue it was really INDEPENDENCE DAY – in all its silly epic grandeur – that truly set the standard for what type of movies people were looking for in July, and what type of movies would be made to cater to that demand. It also established for green-eyed studio heads how much friggin money can be earned on Independence Day weekend with the right high-profile product. As for the film, well, having re-watched it recently on Blu-Ray it holds up surprisingly well. Still silly, but still lots of fun.

MEN IN BLACK
Though I’m not sure I’d like it so much anymore now, at the time of its release I adored MEN IN BLACK. Probably the main reason was not only because it was perfect high-concept summer material, but because unlike many of its July kin it wasn’t bogged down by a case of self-importance and top-heavy seriousness. Instead it gave us an refreshingly funny and quirky spin on the summer movie that was most welcome, and that hasn’t really been reproduced in a Independence Day weekend film since. Well, except for … well, keep reading.

Worst FilmsWILD WILD WEST and MEN IN BLACK II
Attempting to cash in on a more funny spin on summer movies, studios gave us WILD WILD WEST and MEN IN BLACK II. I’ve slot these two together mostly because they have the distinction of both starring and Will Smith, and both being two of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life – which is saying something. Listing what was wrong with them would take too long, but the greatest error they made was that July 4th movies are supposed to be entertaining and enthralling. Both of these movies just had me looking at my watch a lot, and rolling my eyes so much it’s amazing they didn’t get stuck in the back of my head.

ARMAGEDDON
Michael Bay’s filmmaking style is about as a subtle as Roland Emmerich’s, which means his films are in theory the type of epic action extravaganza’s perfect for July 4th weekends. ARMAGEDDON should have been no exception (and in many ways it isn’t) but for some reason it just didn’t work for me. It was almost too epic, ending up often on the side of unintentionally funny and melodramatic instead of serious and exciting. Then again if it was deemed worthy of a Criterion DVD, maybe I’m just missing something.