A well-written piece. Independence Day was a gargantuan disappointment (as was the pointless belated sequel).

To end on a positive note, here are three alien invasion films/series better than Independence Day:

1. V (1983 five part miniseries).

2. Mars Attacks! Far more subversive and fun than Independence Day.

3. War of the Worlds (2005 Spielberg version - much underrated in my opinion).