In the fourth of our series of films celebrating their decennial anniversaries this year, we head back to the ‘90s for the biggest special-effects-laden blockbuster of them all – Independence Day – before we screen the new sequel on July 29.

A classic of its kind. A ‘popcorn’ movie if ever there was one in which evil aliens attempt to exterminate humankind. The ‘plot’ is full of cheesy stereotypes: Harvey Fierstein plays a carbon-copy perfect gay wimp (not on today). The US President (Pullman) is a top-gun fighter-jock (George W?); a boozy old crop duster (Randy Quaid) is likewise when put into an F-18.

Highly unlikely coincidences abound, as our heroes are always in the right time at the right place – look for the rescue of the First Lady (Mary McDonnell) by our hero’s girlfriend Jasmine (Vivica Fox). Will Smith is excellent as Marine Corps fighter-ace Steve Hiller. Brent Spiner (“Star Trek”’s Mr Data) is a highlight as the mad scientist, Dr. Brakish Okun. And the baddies are suitably gruesome and completely evil without redemption – and therefore able to be exterminated as the world becomes a free-fire zone.

All-in-all, it’s a tongue-in-cheek comedic romp: a spoof on such disaster-alien movies that those of us old enough watched in the 1950s and 1970s. But I’m not all that certain that it was meant to be, and maybe takes itself too seriously – especially when the USA saves the world, again. The movie has a naïve quality, grounded in the confidence of the early post-Cold War era; before 9/11 and George W. Bush’s disastrous Mid-Eastern adventures.

It will be interesting to see what the sequel is like. Probably more of the same. But we don’t have to worry about such things. Watch this and have fun.