Best science fiction film in years

Rating: 10/10 (2 December 2016)

Arrival is a film that reminds me of why I love science fiction. It is a genre that on film, can be both terrifying and absolutely beautiful to watch. Take Tarkovsky's famous Stalker as an example. While it may seem odd to compare such a classic to this recently released film, I think it is absolutely fair. Arrival is a modern day masterpiece.
Denis Villeneuve is an absolute master of atmosphere. It only took me 10 minutes until I was stuck inside the world of Arrival. I was experiencing certain contact with the characters, it almost felt like I was around them rather than just watching them. The soundtrack and the absolutely stunning cinematography by Bradford Young creates this unique atmosphere that I have rarely seen in other films.
In some ways, it feels like Arrival is the science fiction film Terrence Malick would make if he ever did one. That is because you could say that the story in this film isn't about alien contact at all, but rather about humanity. It is the most philosophical film I've seen in cinemas all year and one that asks so many questions about us as a species.
It is also time for Amy Adams to get her well deserved Oscar. She has been nominated for an Academy Award five times now, why didn't I know this until yesterday? Her performance in Arrival is simply one of the best performances ever put on film. She is stunning as the main character. Jeremy Renner whom I usually despise was also superb and the two shared great chemistry together on screen.
Arrival is an intense and beautiful experience. There were some parts of the film where I was so scared that I could barely breathe. There were other parts where I was crying because of how beautiful this film really is. In other words, Arrival is a must see.
People will most likely draw comparisons between this film and Christopher Nolan's Interstellar in the future. Do not let that fool you, however. This is one of the best science fiction films ever made. I wish more directors were as gifted as Denis Villeneuve. I can not name five ones working today who are capable of making a great sci- fi film. This is what I'm looking for when I say the word sci-fi, not Marvel superheroes.