A radio signal is detected coming from as close as the moon, and it soon discovered that a large object is moving towards the earth. It is an extremely large alien mothership, which later launches smaller ships to earth. The ships are miles wide, and hover over all major cities around the world. Although at first no offensive move is made, cable repair man David Levinson (Goldblum), a near-genius at mathematics and computers, makes a discovery that the aliens are going to attack and desperately tries to warn US President Whitmore (Pullman) --- one of whose assistants just happens to be his ex wife.
Just as he said, the aliens attack, and devestate cities around the world. Levinson (with his father in tow), Whitmore with White House staff,, and a many more survivors, including air force pilot Steven Hiller (Smith) and others, take refuge at Area 51. These include the President's wife, who has become badly injured on the journey, and Hiller's single parent girlfriend wth her small son, who happens upon and bravely rescues the First Lady, plus a small army or refugees that includes trailer park folk who are now able to show their courage and patriotism despite their hitherto rather lowly circumstances.
At Area 51, we and the President discover (to his astonishment) that there is a top secret underground laboratory which houses a small alien shuttle craft and three alien bodies which crashed near Roswell (in 1947). For years they have been studied to no avail by a team of scientists headed by the long-grey-haired and eccentric Dr Okun (Spiner).
When a nuclear offensive by the USA against the aliens fails, all hope for our planet seems lost. But then two things happen. First, the small alien craft in the lab becomes functional. Second, Levinson, with some inspiration from his father, devises a daring plan to defeat the invaders, by flying that craft up into the alien mothership and uploading a computer virus to bring down not only the mothership but also all the other alien spaceships.
The survivors band together with others around the world to put the plan into action to save what is left of humanity. The unlikely team of ace fighter pilot Hiller and boffin Levinson sit side by side in the little craft and set out on a trip that becomes a buddy movie in miniature leading to the conclusion we have all been waiting for.
Will Smith ... Captain Steven Hiller
Bill Pullman ... President Thomas J. Whitmore
Jeff Goldblum ... David Levinson
Mary McDonnell ... First Lady Marilyn Whitmore
Judd Hirsch ... Julius Levinson
Robert Loggia ... General William Grey
Randy Quaid ... Russell Casse
Margaret Colin ... Constance Spano
Vivica A. Fox ... Jasmine Dubrow
James Rebhorn ... Albert Nimzicki
Harvey Fierstein ... Marty Gilbert
Adam Baldwin ... Major Mitchell
Brent Spiner ... Dr. Brackish Okun
A great movie and Will Smith was as always brilliant and funny. I have watched this several times and it is always a great Saturday kick of your shoes and eat popcorn movie - A must watch for anyone.
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