Interesting that the gladsome boosters of this watchable but flawed flick feel they have to detract from those who were not similarly overawed.

so it's not a crime to be critical unless the criticism aligns with one's own 'pinion, then?

I am not likely to have 100's of millions to make my own film but I will be happy to recommend other films that are more watchable and thought provoking:

For action and adventure, Mr. Spielberg's Indiana Jones flicks, even that awful one in the middle 'Temple of Doom' were superior to this.

For SF: The (B&W) Classics:
Forbidden Planet "Monsters From The Id!"
Day The Earth Stood Still

The recent classics:
Alien
Aliens

Recent but not overpopularized:
Gattaca (no aliens, but forgive me, it was though provoking and has Uma Thurman)

By the way:
Independence Day sucked like a hoover. It's the ultimate example of fodder for the fickle foolish fan. The same people behind that one were behind Godzilla, which managed to put people to sleep as the hyperthyroid lizard trounced through Manhattan, and Day After Tomorrrow, which froze New York. I think they've got something against the Big Apple.
And as far as 'sucks like a hoover' see the ORIGINAL: Plan Nine From Outer Space, one of the sublimely awfullest works of time yet passed. Yet it contained one great truth:
"Because You Of Earth Are Idiots!"