Independence Day Resurgence (2016) may not look like a ‘God and country’ flick.

A film with aliens, spaceships, and disaster may not have something to say about God and country, but then again, it may.

In this film, the country side of God and country is obvious. The God side of God and country is all rather subtle.

For country

From the start of the film slogans abound about the right to live and if necessary the right to fight to maintain one’s right to live.

It points to the American tradition of protecting country from invasion. In the new Independence Day film, alien invaders are coming while the military prepares for the worse. It makes for a familiar scenario that brings back memories of the former Independence Day film in 1996. There’s a longish build-up of character and story followed by an onslaught of alien invaders with disastrous consequences. It doesn’t matter so much the clean-up, but save country first, then worry about the clean-up.

For God

It may be hard to find God in this.

There’s a peppering of throw-away profanity that we might have got in 1970’s disaster films like Earthquake.

The name of Jesus is profaned, but come to think about that, there’s a bigger picture here.

Profanity is lumped together with the unspiritual act of war, but war for freedom and victory.  This brings up the image of the curse of the cross. Jesus became a curse for our sakes, but brings victory over sin.

Also, a character thanks God that his father is alive.

So, that is the God part of the ‘God and country’ theme.

If you don’t like your movies with profanity then don’t see this film. But if you appreciate a God and country theme, albeit subtle, then this movie may have it.

You may find others films that tell the God and country story explicitly. Resurgence doesn’t. If you like ‘for country’ only, then this movie has it in droves.

But be warned. The film is a turkey.

Independence Day Resurgence is on DVD October 18, 2016