In light of 4th July, and many other types of Independence Day recently, Independence Day: Resurgence sure strikes a chord. Again. Twenty years after the epic sci-fi original, producers thought it was time for another installment, and so we're treated to yet another epic sci-fi - this time a lot less original but telling the tale of the alien race coming back with a vengeance. For many, Independence Day was a modern day classic, one of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters around. Resurgence does not emulate these standards but it's an entertaining big budget sequel nonetheless. It follows the Star Wars/Jurassic Park trend in lying low and coming back, but this real-time return makes logical sense.

From first glance, we're missing Will Smith. A majority of the cast return, plus newcomers in the form of Liam Hemsworth as brilliant but slightly reckless pilot Jake Morrison (kind of filling in Smith's shoes), an adult Dylan, no longer a wide-eyed baby faced kid (Jessie Usher) and older Patricia Whitmore (Maika Monroe). From many further glances, we're really missing Will Smith, who brought that much needed and hard-to-replace comedic element. Those are big boots to fill (apparently he had scheduling conflicts), and his absence is noted as his character Steven Hiller dies a war hero before the film begins. But enough about that - the film goes on, and in the meantime, the invasion has had huge implications right around the world. Many, including Morrison, have been left orphaned, and there's now an Earth Space Defense team (ESD) looking for early ET warnings, directed by Jeff Goldblum's brilliant David Levinson. It's so good to see him again, plus he's basically not aged at all in 20 years. Former President Whitmore, haunted by the previous events, is convinced the aliens are coming back, and he's on the money. They're not just invading, they're harvesting!

Saving the planet pt 2 awaits! It's called Resurgence for a reason, and the key here lies in a cryptic circle marking, and a Queen Alien. It's not rocket science, but it's a layered plot allowing all the different characters to unite together. It's a valiant team effort, there are no nonsense hidden character twists, just the straight up squad. Original generation fuses effortlessly with the next generation; there's a fantastic sense of nostalgia, but destruction is on a larger scale this time. London gets hit - again. Someone give this city a break?

Hemsworth is a true Hollywood action star now, and he's a real natural hero to watch. The cast are splendid, and one of my favourite characters is Morrison's best bud Charlie, played by Travis Tope. He plays a more entertaining sidekick than Dylan, but he's understandably a more solemn type. I'm a big fan of the girl power in this film, with tough characters including a female President, who don't even seem like token female heroes. The addition of warlord Dikembe (Deobia Oparei) is entertaining and probably underrated, and you'll also recognise Joey King and Charlotte Gainsbourg amongst new characters. In other news, there are certain characters who are a tad throwaway, and predictably so.

Before you can rip into the plot, just remember that the predecessor's plot was just as far-fetched. It's gloriously over the top, and that's perfectly ok. The fighter plane sequences are nearly reminiscent of Star Wars, and reminded me a little of Guardians of the Galaxy too. The CGI is great, though at times a little overdone, switching from big alien visuals to space life to global destruction. I'd go back to the London scene as an example, but it's too painful.

Independence Day: Resurgence is a film for the fans, which will hopefully please them even if we're all still devastated Will Smith's cheeky chappy man is actually dead. I'm not sure how much it resonates if you haven't seen the first film, but really you only need to see one (and pick the first, always). Director Roland Emmerich is on fine form even if the film is simply not quite capable of being as remarkable and smashingly (literally) superb as Independence Day. It wasn't a sequel we really felt we needed, but it's an appropriate continuation. And with a potential third film in the works, it sets up an Independence Day trilogy very nicely.

Independence Day: Resurgence is in cinemas now.