The Day the Movie Stood Still

Rating: 9/10 (27 January 2017)

Or, Alive on Arrival.
The first half of this movie wasn't bad, per se, but it did frustrate me. It showed, once again, how dumb we are. Humans with all its war, ego, greed, miscommunications, short-tempers and small-mindedness. To only take in the first half of this story is proving my point, including my own shortcomings. As a matter of fact, I kept wondering how on Earth did this get nominated for Best Picture?
Isn't it obvious by now? Yeah, stick it through to the second half.
Some people I know who have seen this state they didn't understand it. Didn't catch the answer to the one question this movie pounds into our head: "Why are they here?" I do not follow. I don't understand, even with the complexity the second half throws at us, the mission is actually pretty clear.
Basically, the movie is about the military attempting to communicate with an alien race of 12 ships that hover over random spots. In comes (the fantastic performance by Amy Adams who plays) Louise and Ian (the normal, expected and welcomed acting job of Jeremy Renner) who work as a linguist and scientist duo to communicate with the aliens. It's not a quick process, especially when they have to deal with different gravity, beings, barriers and, of course, languages. But the military and governments are impatient. I suspect some movie watchers are, as well.
Like I made evident, stick with it. It becomes clear and amazing. With as much dirt as they throw at the human race, the movie reveals itself as an eye-opener.
I have given too much away. My point is: watch this to the end and let the script tell you a marvelous story.
It's slow, unabashedly at times. Maybe a little too realistic. But, it gave me hope that my own secret sci-fi fantasies could come true. Hint: Voyager.
***
Final thoughts: It's not a movie I would watch repeatedly. In fact, I have no idea (currently, but maybe they do.) when I will see this again. That said, I am super glad I did see it and wish this could really happen. We need this. WE REALLY DO.