Description

In this episode of Movie Wars, we take a deep dive into the explosive legacy of Independence Day (1996) with Joel Beasley, comedian and host of the Modern CTO podcast. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip—we’re asking the big question: Does this genre-defining blockbuster still hold up in today’s cinematic landscape?

We break down what made Independence Day such a cultural juggernaut—its record-breaking box office, iconic one-liners, unforgettable alien battles, and of course, Will Smith’s rocket-launch into Hollywood superstardom. But we also get real about what hasn’t aged well: clunky writing, thin character arcs, and the cheesy patriotism that feels a bit too on-the-nose in today’s world.

From White House explosions to Will Smith punching aliens in the face, we unpack the movie’s epic highs and eyebrow-raising lows.

Together with Joel, we trace the evolution of action movies in the ‘90s—when practical effects met early CGI—and debate whether modern blockbusters still capture that magic. We talk career pivots, like how Independence Day launched Smith from sitcom star to bona fide action hero, and how Jeff Goldblum’s charming chaos became part of the film’s DNA.

Through personal stories, laughs, and critical takes, we explore what it means for a movie to become a piece of shared cultural memory—and what happens when we revisit that memory with modern eyes. Is it timeless, or just stuck in time?

Takeaways:

• We examine how Independence Day shaped the blockbuster blueprint and kickstarted Will Smith’s film career.
• The panel dissects the film’s groundbreaking (for its time) visual effects, comparing them to today’s standards.
• We explore how much of the movie’s best dialogue was improvised—and how much weight it placed on Will Smith’s charisma.
• We debate whether the film’s writing and character development live up to its epic scale.
• The episode wraps with a fun but honest look at how movie presidents (especially Bill Pullman’s) have shaped public imagination.

🎙️ Whether you grew up watching Independence Day every Fourth of July or you're coming to it fresh, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and just the right amount of sci-fi cynicism. Come for the aliens, stay for the debate.