Independence Day: Resurgence – In Cinemas Thursday June 23 – Sequels/ Prequels Years in the Making

We always knew they were coming back. After INDEPENDENCE DAY redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global catastrophe on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defence program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.

Twenty years has passed since Bill Pullman declared that “we will not go quietly into the night. We will not vanish without a fight. We’re going to live on, we’re going to survive. Today we celebrate our independence day.” Humanity once again faces the threat of Alien annihilation, the same annihilation that threatened our very existence in 1996.

Okay, I know it’s a film but it’s near impossible not to get caught up in Pullman’s damn near devastating charisma.

But what of other films have sequels/prequels long in the making?

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Though this definitely doesn’t go down as a classic Indiana Jones film, we did wait a good 19 years for it after the smash hit The Last Crusade. Set during the Cold War, Indiana Jones has got himself swept up into a world of espionage and Russians. A mysterious code bought to him by a young biker prompts Dr Jones to investigate into the disappearance of the Harold Oxley, an old colleague of Indiana’s. This leads Indie on a journey fraught with danger through Central America, Peru and the Amazon rainforest all whilst trying to stop the crazed Russian scientist, Irina Spalko whose sole goal is to unlock the power of the skull and make Russia the superpower of the world.

Creed
10 years after the release of Rocky Balboa arises Creed, a coming of age story for the son of Apollo Creed who famously fought Rocky in the first and second film. Overshadowed by his father’s boxing accolades, Adonis Johnson is trying to make a name for himself in the fighting world. He reaches out to the only person he knows that would understand the underdog status. Rocky Balboa himself. This has some truly amazing shots that made Creed one of the must see films of the year and to boot, it has Sylvester Stallone giving one hell of an amazing performance which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Monsters University
12 years since Mike, Sully and Boo once again proved that Pixar could do no wrong with Monsters Inc. Mike and Sully return for their prequel story. A whole host of A-list celebrities such as Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina and Nathan Fillion join the fray as Mike and Sully battle it out to become the most terrifying monster at MU’s prestigious School of Scaring. Packed with hilarity and the ability to take you on an emotional rollercoaster of feelings in the blink of an eye, Monsters University is a fantastic addition to the Pixar repertoire. It just left us wanting more.

Jurassic World
The first thing you think of when you see ‘Jurassic...’ in any way, shape or form is that iconic theme music. Now with the last Jurassic Park film coming out in 2001, it was a long time coming and we were all worried about the state this was going to put us nostalgic lovers of Jurassic Park. But our fears were assuaged when we heard Chris Pratt was in it. The man can do no wrong! This film is set 20 years in the future when InGen has a new CEO whose core belief is to finish what John Hammond started. This time, they’re started creating their own dinosaurs…surely nothing can go wrong, right? Wrong. So wrong, on every level. 14 years was too long to wait for another instalment in this franchise but it delivered perfectly.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
I’m pretty sure there isn’t a person around who doesn’t at least know what Star Wars is, even if they haven’t seen it. This story takes place about 30 years after Return of the Jedi and chronicles a rogue storm trooper, an orphaned girl and a BB-8 droid unit (who is possibly one of the best new characters) who hold the key to finding the lost Jedi master, Luke Skywalker. With some help from a few old friends, these heroes have to battle the dark lord Kylo Ren who has risen out of the ashes of the old Empire and formed a new threat; The First Order. This film has everything you need from a classic sci-fi adventure and personally speaking, it’s up there with the best films of the year if not the decade.

Mad Max: Fury Road
The very fact that Mad Max: Fury Road was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won six of those is testament to its quality. But Fury Road benefitted hugely from the cult success of George Miller’s Mad Max franchise and the idea of that adrenaline fuelled action premise filmed in the 21st Century was too tantalising to resist. Tom Hardy plays an amazingly convincing Max Rockatansky in this apocalyptic thriller starring an equally brilliant Charlize Theron as Furiosa. This a must see for any film fan.

Toy Story 3
Pixar’s first feature length film under the direction of visionary and innovator John Lasseter propelled the Pixar to be quickly snapped up by Disney. The formula for success? Balancing effortlessly on a tightrope between adulthood and childhood. Toy Story 3 showcases this ability like no other. Eleven years since Toy Story 2 broke the stigma of doomed sequels and Andy’s childhood has been locked in a toy chest, collecting dust and wallowing in abandonment. Fortunately, Lots-O-Huggin Bear welcomes them into Sunnyside Daycare Centre with open arms but his plans for Andy’s toys are far more sinister beneath the plush cuddly facade. Inevitably, Toy Story 3 is simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting, proving that some sequels are well worth the wait.

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INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE IS OUT IN UK CINEMAS ON THE JUNE 23