Ah July 4th, a day that we all know as ‘Indepedence Day’, despite the fact that we not all American. Such is the overt patriotism of our North American cousins that their culture (and self-importance) spans the globe.
For those who aren’t American, is there anything more fitting than spending the day with a bucket of popcorn and a half-gallon of soda watching a bunch of things blow up on a screen bigger than your house? No, there isn’t.
Michael Bay, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg—these guys are some of the country’s most profitable Hollywood exports, and they’re selling the most uber-patriotic movies of all time. Prepare for explosions, guys getting killed with the American flag, volleyball and big cars. Prepare for red, for white, for blue. These are some of the most American movie scenes of all time.
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Independence Day (1996)
Director: Roland Emmerich
Most patriotic moment: That scene where the president gives the speech about Independence Day while standing on a jet before fighting aliens.
The Patriot (2000)
Director: Roland Emmerich
Most patriotic moment: That scene where Mel Gibson waves the flag in slow motion then beats a guy up with it.
Red Dawn (1984)
Director: John Milius
Most patriotic moment: That scene where the Americans are singing America to a Soviet firing squad.
Top Gun (1986)
Director: Tony Scott
Most patriotic moment: That scene where they play volleyball, obviously.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Most patriotic moment: That scene where Brad Pitt carves a swastika into a Nazi’s head.
Team America: World Police (2004)
Director: Trey Parker
Most patriotic moment: McDonald’s. Fuck yeah! Walmart. Fuck yeah!
Rocky IV (1985)
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Most patriotic moment: That scene where Rocky, wearing American flag shorts, knocks out Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in the final round. America wins.
Captain America (2011)
Director: Joe Johnston
Most patriotic moment: That scene with Captain America.
Air Force One (1997)
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Most patriotic moment: “Get off my plane.”
Transformers (2007)
Director: Michael Bay
Most patriotic moment: That scene that looks like a car commercial.