Independence Day (Movie, books, audio play, etc)

[Freman]

I just rewatched Independence Day for the first time in years, and loved it just as much as I did the first 15 times I saw it at the theater. After it was over, I remembered I had a prequel comic for it and dug that out.

Looking on the Internet, I discovered that, in addition to the comic, there were also two novels based on the movie, and a British Audio Drama called Independence Day UK.

Has anyone read these books, or listened to the audio play? How are they? Is the play available on CD, as I can only find it online in cassette format.

And lastly, do all these comics and books and plays form a cohesive Expanded Universe for ID4, or do they basically just ignore each other?

 

[bigdaddy]

I have a ID4 novel, all it is is the movie is written form.

 

[Freman]

There is also a prequel novel centered on Brent Spiner's character, and one that, I believe, centers on characters shown in the movie in one of the other countries.

 

[The Badger]

The audio play is rather fun. For the first half hour it is presented as a live radio broadcast, with the presenter Nicky Campbell and the astronomer Patrick Moore playing themselves reporting on events. Former Doctor Who Colin Baker shows that with a decent script he can be very entertaining.

As it is presented in real time the events of the movie are greatly compressed, first sighting to the destruction of London occurring in about twenty minutes, as opposed to the several hours in the film.

After the attack it becomes a more conventional radio play, but still enjoyable. Much like the film it's unashamedly preposterous.

"Am I concussed, or is Patrick Moore fist fighting an alien monster?"

"He is."

"Oh. There's something you don't see everyday."

Because it was first broadcast whilst the movie was still showing at the cinema, it doesn't attempt to resolve the invasion.

Spoiler: dialogue

Allegedly, the film producers also insisted that the British couldn't do anything significant against the aliens, as the movie established that the Americans fought off the invaders. So the audio plays producers snuck in a line that reflected the way many non-Americans felt about the film.

"One day we'll beat these monsters. And when we do, the Yanks will take the credit for it."

So it does not quite fit in with continuity. It's well worth a listen though, if you can get a copy. AFAIK it is not available on CD, sadly.

 

[Freman]

Damn, I gotta find a copy of this.

I wouldn't say that closing line makes it not fit with the movie. It's a great closing line, though.

 

[Samurai8472]

Because it was first broadcast whilst the movie was still showing at the cinema, it doesn't attempt to resolve the invasion.

Spoiler: dialogue

Allegedly, the film producers also insisted that the British couldn't do anything significant against the aliens, as the movie established that the Americans fought off the invaders. So the audio plays producers snuck in a line that reflected the way many non-Americans felt about the film.

"One day we'll beat these monsters. And when we do, the Yanks will take the credit for it."

There was also this line

THOMSON
It's from the Americans. They
want to organize a counter
offensive.

REGINALD
It's about bloody time. What do
they plan to do?

 

[The Badger]

Sorry, meant to say it was the compression of the films events that made it not quite fit in with the movie, not any particular line.

And yes, there was some great dialogue!


Just checked. There are currently three copies of the tape on UK e-Bay.

 

[Freman]

I'll check that out.

Of course, it means I'll have to go buy a cassette player, too. lol

 

[Harvey]

The movie is a lot of a fun as a big budget B-movie. The characters can be a lot of fun, even as the archetypes that they are. I read "Silent Zone," the book based on Brent Spiner's character, more than ten years ago. I thought it was really good then, but considering my age, I don't know how it would hold up now.

 

[EmmanuelZorg]

Great movie, enjoyed it since i was 15 in 1996! it was a huge summer event and still holds up.

 

[Freman]

I tracked down a copy of the audio play. I'll let you know what I think once I've listened. Still looking for the books.