Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Independence Day Blu-ray Movie Review

20th Century Fox has re-released 'Independence Day' to Blu-ray in celebration of the film's 20th anniversary and the upcoming release of the sequel, 'Independence Day: Resurgence.' The two-disc set also replaces the original release from 2008. This edition boasts a remastered 1080p transfer, a new retrospective documentary, and adds plenty of archival extras missing from the previous Blu-ray. Key supplements from the previous release, such as the dual commentary tracks, are also included. Unfortunately, no new audio track is included, but the carryover 5.1 lossless presentation is still top-shelf, even after all these years.

They're here.

Independence Day Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

20th Century Fox touts this new release of Independence Day as "newly restored" without spilling out any more detail. With a 4K UHD release on the horizon and original 35mm elements on hand, there's no reason to presume this isn't from a 4K scan. The results certainly point in that direction. This is, at least until the UHD releases (and it'll be interesting to see how the HDR treatment alters the presentation), the best the film has ever looked on home video, certainly not a surprise but Fox's presentation is authentically filmic and endlessly attractive. The only real down side is that black levels are prone to pushing towards crush. Otherwise, the presentation is spectacular from every angle. Fine grain layers atop the image in an organic, evenly dispersed field. Rarely does grain spike in intensity, and never do details disappoint. Effects shots are noticeably softer, but core images look terrific. Dense fabric military uniforms showcase extremely fine material textures. Casse's red crop duster is home to a fine layer of dirt and intimate little scratches and dents. The flight sticks inside fighter jet cockpits reveal authentic wear. Cruder surface area details at SETI, the varied areas down in the bowels of Area 51, or the more elegant appointments in the White House and on Air Force One all present with a tangibly authentic sense of place and definition. Facial features are perhaps most impressive. Every pore, mole, strand of facial hair, and stubble are organically revealed. Colors are likewise superb, presenting with a natural balance and vibrance that never pushes too bright or dull, whether sunny daytime or darker nighttime exteriors, in the more evenly lit White House or in the dank and drab alien mothership. Flesh tones appear true to natural (and makeup enhanced) complexions. Outside of a few pesky black level concerns, this is a terrific presentation and an honest improvement over the previous Blu-ray release, particularly as it tightens up fine detail, grain, and color. But the single nicest compliment one can pay to this presentation is that it looks straight-out-of-the-theater. It's refined, natural, and ever pleasing. For audiences who grew up on the movie and have seen every iteration -- theatrical, VHS, cable, LaserDisc, DVD, and even the previous Blu-ray -- this is a real treat.

Independence Day Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This Blu-ray release of Independence Day is caught in the middle of disappointment. Packaging proclaims that the release includes a 7.1 lossless soundtrack, and the upcoming UHD release is set to include a DTS:X presentation. This release contains neither. Rather than deliver on packaging promise or simply add the DTS:X track (the studio is likely holding that back to further enhance the 4K release's "premium" status), this release contains only a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless track. All that said, it's still a fabulous track, even if it's identical to the previous release's 1.5Mbps track. For more thoughts, click through the link that leads to the previous Blu-ray release's review above.

Independence Day Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Independence Day contains supplemental content on both Blu-ray discs. Both commentaries from the original release carry over, as does the trivia track. The only "new" extra on disc one is a trailer for the new movie. Disc two contains a new retrospective and material new to Blu-ray but previously available on older home video releases. Note that this release also contains an extended cut of the film, which runs 2:33:33, as well as the theatrical version.

Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: Director Roland Emmerich and Producer Dean Devlin. See the linked review above for more information.
• Audio Commentary: VFX Supervisors Volker Engel and Doug Smith. See the linked review above for more information.
• ID4 Datastream Trivia Track (Theatrical Version Only): See the linked review above for more information.
• Independence Day: Resurgence Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:07).

• Independence Day: A Legacy Surging Forward (HD, 30:40): Cast and crew reflect on the original movie, discussing what made it work and why it holds up. The piece continues with a look back at story origins, influences, the film's structure and approach, audience reaction to the movie, cast performances and improvisations, writing President Whitmore's famous speech, blowing up the White House, visual effects work and the use of models, crafting the alien vessels and creatures, building dogfight scenes and a secret behind the movie's Russell Casse ending, the movie's Oscar win, sequel idea origins and new cast thoughts on the original, and more. The piece also includes a number of fun anecdotes from the set.
• Original Theatrical Ending (SD, 4:16): Russell Casse still saves the day, but in a different way.
• Gag Reel (SD, 2:05).
• Creating Reality (SD, 29:19): This piece looks at translating concepts into finished film, including alien craft and interiors, working with models and miniatures, blowing up the White House, motion control effects, designing and puppeteering alien creatures, digital effects work, and more.
• ID4 Invasion (SD, 21:57): Fake news coverage of the alien arrival followed by a plot recap with clips from the movie and light behind-the-scenes coverage and analysis, including the U.S. military's cooperation with the filmmakers, or lack thereof.
• The Making of ID4 (SD, 28:29): Jeff Goldblum takes audiences to "Area ID4" for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie, which includes plot recaps, behind-the-scenes footage, cast and crew interviews, and more. The piece largely runs through many of the same details as previous pieces.
• Combat Review (Random Destruction Clips) (HD): A collection of scenes featuring stuff blowing up. Included are AWACS Plane (0:14), Welcome Wagon (0:12), Los Angeles (0:36), New York (0:24), Washington, D.C. (1:12), Los Angeles Tunnel (1:19), Dogfight 1 (1:27), El Toro (0:17), Canyon (0:56), Dogfight 2 (0:42), Russell the Kamikaze (1:21), Mothership (0:18), and Random Destruction, a randomly chosen clip from the collection.
• Monitor Earth Broadcasts (Video Playback Newscasts) (SD): News clips created for the film. Included are Static Report (1:35), Blue Acolytes (0:44), Sky News Russian (3:05), Team 1 Russian (3:46), Vox News Germany (0:47), Katja Scholl, Berlin (2:45), Farsi Report (2:52), Fields/Dunphy (2:54), Press Conference 1 (2:05), Press Conference 2 (1:38), Chinese Broadcast (1:40), Post-Conference (1:00), Engel on Fox (2:44), Hal Live: Modelmaker (2:48), Traffic Report (1:30), Russell Casse Arrest (1:58), U.N. Report (2:30), Alien Lovers (1:07), Rooftop Parties (0:35), Fields/Engel Debate (3:40), Welcome Wagon Report 1 (4:35), and Welcome Wagon Report 2 (4:40).
• Gallery (HD): Still images. Included are Welcome Wagon Storyboard Sequences, Destruction Storyboard Sequences, Biplane Ending Storyboard Sequences, Alien Beings Conceptual Artwork, Alien Ships Conceptual Artwork, Sets and Props Conceptual Artwork, and Production Photographs.
• Teaser Trailers (SD): Included are Teaser Trailer 1 (1:09), Teaser Trailer 2 (1:33), and Teaser Trailer 3 (2:26).
• Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:30).
• TV Spots (SD): Super Bowl TV Spot (0:32), Apple Computer TV Spot (0:32), 15-Second TV Spot (0:17), 30-Second TV Spot 1 (0:31), 30-Second TV Spot 2 (0:30), 30-Second TV Spot 3 (0:31), 30-Second TV Spot 4 (0:31), and 30-Second TV Spot 5 (0:31).

Independence Day Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Independence Day still holds up as one of the best guilty pleasures out there. A Summer popcorn muncher that defines the term, the movie is packed with the perfect balance of action, humor, good characters, great visual effects, and memorable moments, essentially everything that makes a "blockbuster" a "blockbuster." It'll be interesting to see if the sequel can match the original's charm, excitement, and lasting appeal, a tall order to be sure but one that team of Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich are capable of filling. As for this new Blu-ray, it's terrific. A strong improvement over an already good transfer is alone worth the price of admission. A few more new extras would have been nice, but the legacy supplements are terrific. The absence of a new audio track is the only real drawback to this release. Still, it comes very highly recommended.