We don't know about you, but we're pretty sure we'd be shaking in our boots if aliens invaded our hometown. So yeah, fear is definitely a major theme here. The characters in Independence Day really show us what they're made of (or not) through their reactions to the danger the aliens pose.
We expect bravery from people like the President and Steve Hiller, since they're both fighter pilots, and the President is the Commander-in-chief. However, we also find some more unlikely heroes in David, a brilliant but supposedly unmotivated cable employee, and Russell Casse, an alcoholic crop duster.
Both men reveal themselves to be extremely brave throughout the course of the movie, as the aliens' shenanigans test everyone's mettle…
Questions about Fear and Courage
- Why did Russell need to prove himself/his bravery, when he had already served honorably in Vietnam (as we learn later)? What do you make of the fact that he's a veteran?
- What are some primary examples of cowardice in the film?
- How do you think the theme of fear/courage intersects with other major themes in the movie?
Chew on This
Characters like Mr. Nimziki come off as cowardly because they seem to make decisions without getting their hands dirty, whereas the movie's braver characters (e.g., the President and David) get in planes to fight the aliens.
While Russ's previous service in Vietnam definitely suggests he's brave, he seems so irresponsible and addled by alcohol at the beginning of the film that it definitely takes his big final gesture to fully demonstrate his courage.