12 Awesome Performances That Saved Underwhelming Films

Independence Day remains a very well-judged and fun 90s blockbuster that no-one should be ashamed to love. It took a whopping 20 years for a sequel to materialize. Once it did appear - without Will Smith - it didn't go down well. At all.

Since it was released around the time of Brexit, it got used in a lot of Vote Leave propaganda. That's the most memorable thing about it. It's watchable spectacle and little else, with the focus being given to an uninspiring young cast. Who could've known that the kids of Will Smith and Bill Pullman in the original could turn out to be so bland?

Speaking of that, the returning leads from the first film are easily the best things in it. Bill Pullman isn't in it enough so it falls to Jeff Goldblum to carry the film. Lucky us!

We all need a bit of Jeff Goldblum in our lives and spending the whole film with him as the main character is a joy. In terms of acting personas and mannerisms, Jeff Goldblum is in a category titled 'Jeff Goldblum' as his unique charm isn't conveyed by any other actor. His ability to improve any scene he's in is brought out in full force here.

He's the one thing that lends emotion and humor to all the explosions and he is, by far and away, the most striking thing in an otherwise middling sequel.