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The disaster film is alive and well in this summer blockbuster in which evil aliens threaten to destroy Earth, leaving it up to a rag-tag team of politicians, soldiers, and scientists (plus a drunken crop-duster and a pole dancer!), to save humanity. The writing and directing team of Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin (Stargate, Godzilla) almost strike the perfect tone for this corny crowd-pleaser. Independence Day is charming when it wears its goofiness on its sleeves, even if it induces a little eye-ball rolling when it tries to milk some sentimental moments or run with some ridiculous plot points.

The first third of the film is by far the strongest, as everyone worldwide waits with baited breath before the aliens unleash a monumental can of whoop-ass on us. The White House and the Statue of Liberty are totally toasted — imagery that all by itself strikes a visceral response. The second act drags a little until the characters come together at the infamous Area 51, where the film’s only direct alien/human encounters take place. The third act will make the greatest strain on your disbelief, but if you run with the movie’s leaps in logic and scientific mockery, the grand finale isn’t unsatisfying.

Like Irwin Allen disaster flicks from the ’70s (The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno), ID4 features an all-star cast. Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Pullman lead the ensemble, playing a fighter pilot, a techie, and the President of the United States, respectively. Judd Hirsch is funny and endearing as Goldblum’s curmudgeonly father who tags along for the adventure, while Randy Quaid steals scenes as the drunken crop-duster with a personal vendetta against the aliens. Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s Brent Spiner makes the most of a smaller part, playing a mad doctor at the Area 51 facility, while Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves) makes the most of her part as the First Lady. It’s easy to overlook the contributions of the cast in this sort of effects-heavy movie, but everyone — particularly Smith and Goldblum — seems to know exactly what kind of film they’re in. They strike the right tone to make the stakes palpable, while simultaneously winking to the audience to let us know not to take things too seriously.

Perhaps the single-greatest contribution is made by composer David Arnold, whose patriotic bombast, brassy action, and sweeping romantic melodies make the whole affair go down a lot more easily than it might otherwise.

With Vivica Fox, Adam Baldwin, James Rebhorn, James Duvall, Robert Loggia, Margaret Colin, Harry Connick Jr, and Harvey Fierstein.

Academy Award: Best Visual Effects

Oscar Nomination: Best Sound