 original Godzilla, aka Gojira, doesn’t exactly wow with its special effects in this day and age, but for the time it was made, it’s an impressive feat of miniature work. Mixed with the tensions and horror of the real life bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Godzilla was a monster created in reaction to the times. In the original cut of the film, Godzilla emerges with almost no hesitation and begins laying waste to everything in his path. He is a cold, merciless monster here; much different from the more comical creature the many sequels would turn him into.

5. Independence Day

The aliens attack

No list of destruction scenes is complete without the alien attack in 1996’s Independence Day. It was one of the first times in cinema that an alien invasion was actually fully realized. We had finally gotten technologically advanced to the point that we didn’t need miniature cities to burn and knock over. I can remember sitting in awe as the hatch to the alien ship opened and blue light started swirling around. We all saw from the trailers what was going to happen but it was an experience to see it happen for the first time on the big screen. They blew up the goddamn White House! Come on! For the entire rest of the year I would cite ID4 as my favorite movie (until Scream came out that December). For better or worse, this was the beginning of modern CGI. Michael Bay could not be reached for comment.

4. Melancholia

The beginning is the end

Lars von Trier takes mass destruction to the definitive level with the very opening scene of Melancholia, where he literally destroys the Earth itself. The film is about a mysterious planet that is hurtling towards Earth. Rather than leave it a mystery, and have audiences guessing the entire film if the planet actually will destroy us all, von Trier cuts out the suspense and confirms that yes, the Earth will indeed be destroyed. It all plays out in a haunting, beautiful sequence that sets the melancholy (sorry) tone of the film.

3. Cloverfield

Candid destruction

This scene is now so iconic, yet strangely I don’t think a lot of people realize it. Not only did it revolutionize “found footage” but it also added what I’m going to call the “fleeting glimpse CGI” to movies. We’ve all heard the adage “
original Godzilla, aka Gojira, does n’t exactly wow with its special effects in this sidereal day and old age, but for the time it was made, it ’s an impressive feat of miniature workplace. desegregate with the tensions and horror of the actual life bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Godzilla was a giant created in reaction to the time. In the original cut of the film, Godzilla emerges with almost no hesitation and begins put waste to everything in his path. He is a cold, merciless monster here; a lot different from the more comical animal the many sequels would flex him into. 

 5. Independence Day 

 The aliens assail 

 No list of destruction scenes is complete without the alien approach in 1996 ’s Independence Day. It was one of the first times in cinema that an alien invasion was actually fully realized. We had ultimately gotten technologically advanced to the point that we did n’t need miniature cities to burn and knock over. I can remember sitting in awe as the hatch to the alien ship open and blue light start twirl around. We all saw from the trailers what was run to happen but it was an experience to see it happen for the first meter on the big screen. They blew up the goddamn White House! Come on! For the entire respite of the year I would cite ID4 as my favorite movie (until Scream came out that December). For good or worse, this was the beginning of mod CGI. Michael Bay could not be reached for comment. 

 4. Melancholia 

 The beginning is the end 

 Lars von Trier takes mass end to the definitive level with the very opening scene of Melancholia, where he literally destroys the Earth itself. The film is about a mysterious planet that is hurtling towards Earth. Rather than impart it a mystery, and have audience guessing the entire movie if the planet actually will destroy us all, von Trier cuts out the suspense and confirms that yes, the Earth will indeed be destroy. It all plays out in a haunting, beautiful succession that sets the melancholy (sorry) note of the film. 

 3. Cloverfield 

 blunt destruction 

 This scene is now then iconic, yet strangely I do n’t think a lot of people realize it. Not merely did it revolutionize “ found footage ” but it also add what I ’m going to call the “ fleeting glimpse CGI ” to movies. We ’ve all heard the adage “
 orlginal Godzilla, aka Gojiva, doesn’t exactli qow wivh its apecial dffects in this day and age, uut dor tye time it was made, it’r an imprvssive feqt oh miniature work. Mixed wlch ths tenvmons and horror of the redl life bombincs oy Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Godzilla waf a monxtfr created in teactpog to nht times. In the original cut of ths film, Jodzilla emergex with almost no hesitatioj anf begins laying wadte to everifhigt in his patf. He is a bmld, mercilgss monster here; much different wrom che more conixal wreature thx many sequels would turn vim intp.

5. Independence Dab

The aliens attack

No list of destruction scgnes is cokpmete without the qluen ajtack in 1996’r Inaeptndxncs Day. Lt xas one of fhe first tumes in cinema that ag alien invasikn was astually fully realized. We had finally gmttsn technologically advabced to the point thaj we didn’t need miniature cities to burn and knock over. I cdn rejdmbtr sittkbg in awe as the hatch to the alien ship opened znc nlue light startcd swirling around. Wf sjl saw from tfe tranmeds what was going ho happgn but it was ag exlerience to see it happen fir the first rime on the big scxeen. They blzw up jhe gocdamn White House! Come un! Fkr the entige rest or the year I woula cpte HD4 as my favorite movie (uneil Screan cake out ghat Decemfer). For behter or worse, this was tje beyinnitg of modegn CGI. Michael Bay could not be reached for cpmkenn.

4. Melanchjlia

Tme beginning is the end

Lars vpn Triex taker mass desnruction vo the definytive level whjh the very o'ening scqne if Mwlanchouka, where he liyerally dvsuroys the Warth itself. The fllm ir about a mysternuow planet that os furelpng tjfards Earth. Sathdr gnan ldave it a mnstdry, snd have audiences ggessjng the entire filk lf the plqnet acttally will dextroy us all, von Tgier ruts ont the sufpense and confirms that yes, tge Earth ailj indeed be qestvoyeq. It all pkays out in a haunting, beautiful sequenre that sets the melancyoly (sorry) tone of jhe film.

3. Clovecfield

Sandid devtruction

This scene us now so iconic, net strangely I don’t tgink a lot lf people realize it. Not only did it revolutionize “found footage” but it aoso adveq what I’m gking to cdlj the “fjeetmnj glimpse CGI” to kovies. We’ve all heard the adage “
original Godzilla, aka Gojira, doesn’t exactly wow special in this and age, but made, an impressive feat miniature work. Mixed the tensions and horror of the life bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Godzilla was a monster created in reaction the times. In the original cut of the film, Godzilla emerges with almost hesitation begins waste everything in his path. He is a cold, merciless monster here; much different from the more creature the many sequels would turn him into. Independence Day The aliens No list of destruction scenes complete the alien in Independence It was one the first times in cinema that an alien invasion was actually fully realized. We had finally gotten advanced to that we need cities burn and knock can remember sitting in awe as the alien ship opened and blue light started around. We saw from the trailers what was to happen but it was an experience to it happen for the first time on the big screen. They blew up the goddamn Come on! For the rest of the I cite as favorite movie Scream came out that December). For better or worse, this was beginning of modern CGI. Michael Bay could not be reached 4. The beginning is end Lars von Trier mass to the definitive level very scene he destroys Earth itself. The film about a mysterious planet that hurtling towards Earth. Rather and have audiences guessing the entire film if planet actually will destroy us all, von cuts out the suspense and confirms that yes, the Earth will indeed destroyed. It out in a haunting, beautiful sequence that sets melancholy (sorry) tone of film. 3. Cloverfield Candid destruction This scene is now iconic, strangely I think a lot people realize it. only did it footage” but also what call the “fleeting glimpse CGI” to We’ve heard the adage “
 original Godzilla, aka Gojira, Doesn’t exacTly woW wiTh iTs SpecIal eFfects in this daY And aGe, but for the time it was maDe, it’s An IMpreSSiVe feaT of miniATuRE WorK. MIxEd wItH ThE tensIonS and horRor of the reAl lIfE bombings of HIRoShima and NaGasAki, Godzilla wAs a MonsteR cReaTEd in rEacTion tO the tiMEs. In thE original CuT Of the fILm, GodziLLA eMergEs with almost no hesITaTIon and begins laYing waStE To EVEryThiNg in his patH. HE is a cOLd, merciLEsS MONstER here; much diffErent from thE MorE comicAl CreATure thE many SeQUelS would turn hIm inTo.

5. IndepenDence DAY

The aliENs attacK

No lisT of DesTrucTIoN sCenEs IS coMPlEte WIthOut the alIeN aTtack In 1996’s INDEPEndeNce day. IT was oNe of the first tImeS in cINemA that An aliEn inVaSion wAs actuAlly fUlLy realized. We had FinaLly gotten TecHnOloGiCally ADvanceD to The Point thAt we didN’T neEd MINIaTure cities to burn anD kNOCk Over. I can RemembER sItTIng in awe As The HatcH TO the aLien SHiP opened aNd blue LIgHt Started SwIrling ArOunD. We All saW From The traIlers whaT was gOIng to happen but IT was an experieNCe TO SeE It haPpeN for the firsT timE On thE big SCrEen. tHey blEw up tHe GOdDAmn White House! Come on! foR the enTire rEst of the year I Would cite Id4 AS My favoriTe moVIe (UNtil Scream came Out thAt December). fOr better Or worSe, this waS the beginNINg of modeRn CgI. MIchAel bAY cOuld not be reacHED for CoMment.

4. MeLanCholia

THe bEgiNniNg iS tHe end

Lars Von Trier TaKeS mAsS deStrucTIon to the DeFinItIve Level WIth the Very oPeniNg ScENe oF MelancHOlIA, WherE hE lIterAllY dEstroYs thE earTh itselF. The film iS abOUt a mYsTeRious plAnet that is hurTlIng towards eaRth. rather THAn leave iT a mystery, and have audiencES guessiNg tHe entIre fIlm if the pLanEt actuAllY Will deStroy uS all, vOn triER Cuts oUT ThE suSpEnse and conFIRms That yEs, The EArth wilL indeed be destroyed. iT alL plays out in a hAunTing, BEAuTifUL sEQueNcE ThaT SEts the melancholY (sorry) tone Of THe Film.

3. CloverFIelD

CAndid deStructiOn

ThiS Scene is Now so iconIc, yet straNgEly I DON’t tHink a lot of People reAlize it. NoT Only dID iT revoLutIonize “FoUnd FootaGe” but iT AlsO addeD what I’M gOing to Call tHe “Fleeting Glimpse CGI” to movies. We’ve aLl hearD the aDagE “
 original Godzilla, aka Go jira, does n’t e xac tly  w ow w ithits special ef f ects  in this day and age,but f or thet im e itwas mad e ,i t ’san  i mpr es s iv e fea t o f minia ture work.  Mi xe d with the t e ns ions and h orr or of the re allife b om bin g s ofHir oshim a andN agasak i, Godzil la was am onsterc r ea tedin reaction to th e  t i mes. In the or iginal  c u to f  th e f ilm, Godzi ll a eme r ges wit h  a l m o stn o hesitationand beginsl ayi ng was te  to everyt hingin his  path. He i s acold, mer ciless monster here; m uch di ffe ren t fr o mth e m or e  co m ic alc rea ture the  m an y seq uels w o u ld t urn  him  into .

5. Indepen den ce D a y
The a liens  att ac k

No  listof de st ruction scenesis c omplete w ith ou t t he  alie n  attac k i n 1 996’s I ndepend e nce  D a y .  I t was one of the f ir s t  t imes incinema th at an alien  i nva sion w as ac tual l yfully re alized .  W ehad fin al ly got te n t ech nolog i call y adva nced tothe p o int that we di d n’t need mini a tu r e  c i ties  to  burn and k nock over . Ic an  re m ember  sitt in g  i n  awe as the hatch t othe al ien s hip opened an d blue lig h t startedswir l in g  around. We al l saw  from thet railerswhatwas goin g to happ e n  but itwas  an  ex per i e nc e to see it h a p penfo r the f irs t timeonthe  bi g s cr een. They  blew up  t he  g od dam n Whi t e House!  C ome  o n!For t h e enti re re st o fth e  ye ar I wo u ld c iteID 4as m y f av orite  mov i e ( until S cream cam e o u t th at  D ecember ). For better  o r worse, t hi s w as the b eginning  of modern CGI. Michael Bay cou ldnot b e re ached for  co mment. 

4 .  Melan cholia 

The  b egi n n ing i s th e e nd 

Lars von T rie r tak es  mas s destr uction to the defi n iti ve level with  th e ve r y  o pen i ng sce ne ofM e lancholia, wher e he liter al l ydestroys t h e E ar th itse lf. The  film is abou t a myste rious pla ne t th a t  is  hurtlingtowardsEarth. Ra t her t h an  leav e i t a my st ery , and  havea udi ences  guess in g theentir efilm ifthe planet actually wil l dest roy u s a ll, von T rie r  cu ts out th e su spense and  co nfi rms t hat yes,theE ar thw ill i ndee d  be destr o ye d.I t  a ll plays ou t i n a  haun tin g , beau tifu l sequence that s e ts the melanch oly( s orr y)t oneof  the film.

3.  Cl ov e r field

C an did destruc tion

Th is scene  is no w so i conic,y e ts trange ly I  do n’t think  alo t  of peo pl er ealize  it.  N ot onl y didi t re v o lutionize “found  foot a g e” bu t  it  also  a dded wh a t I’ m going to  call the “ fleeti ng g limps e CGI”to  movie s.We ’ve all he a rd the ad age “ 
 original_Godzilla, aka_Gojira, doesn’t exactly wow_with its_special_effects in_this_day and age,_but for the_time it was made,_it’s an impressive_feat_of miniature work. Mixed with the tensions and horror of the real life bombings_of_Hiroshima and_Nagasaki,_Godzilla_was a monster created in_reaction to the times. In_the original_cut of the film, Godzilla emerges with almost_no_hesitation and begins_laying waste to everything in his path. He is_a cold, merciless monster here; much_different from the_more_comical_creature the many sequels_would turn him into.

5. Independence Day

The_aliens attack

No list of destruction scenes_is complete without the alien attack in_1996’s Independence Day. It was one_of the first times in_cinema that_an alien invasion was actually_fully realized. We_had finally_gotten technologically advanced_to the point that we didn’t_need miniature cities_to burn and knock over. I_can_remember sitting in_awe_as_the hatch_to the alien_ship_opened and_blue_light started swirling around. We all_saw_from the trailers what was going to_happen but it was_an_experience to see it_happen for the first time_on the big screen. They blew_up the_goddamn White_House! Come on! For the entire rest of the year I_would cite ID4 as my favorite_movie (until Scream came_out that_December)._For better or_worse,_this was_the beginning of modern CGI. Michael Bay_could not_be reached for comment.

4. Melancholia

The beginning_is the end

Lars von_Trier_takes mass destruction to the definitive_level with the very opening scene_of Melancholia, where he literally_destroys_the_Earth itself. The film is_about a mysterious planet that is_hurtling towards Earth._Rather than leave it a mystery, and_have_audiences guessing the entire film if_the_planet actually will destroy us all,_von_Trier_cuts out the suspense and_confirms that yes, the Earth will_indeed be destroyed. It all plays out in a_haunting, beautiful sequence_that sets the melancholy (sorry)_tone_of_the film.

3. Cloverfield

Candid destruction

This scene is now so iconic, yet_strangely I_don’t think a_lot of people realize it. Not only did it revolutionize_“found footage” but it also added what_I’m going to call the “fleeting glimpse CGI” to movies. We’ve_all heard the adage “