Average for a sci-fi blockbuster, but that is a low bar

Rating: 4/10 (12 November 2016)

The promotional materials for this film imply a highly original hard sci-fi plot, focusing on the fascinating hypothetical process of establishing communication with aliens - the topic of extensive real-world research. That is not what this film is about. In fact, it is blatantly anti-intellectual, with core problems being mostly being solved through gut feeling or the intervention of mysterious forces. Beyond what is revealed in the trailer, there is very little that is original in this film. Just about every cliché in the alien contact genre appears. The same tired stereotypes of gender, race and profession all show up unquestioned. The film relies heavily on the same brand of mysticism that Interstellar and similar films always seem to use to tie up loose ends. I will say that many of the visuals were quite stunning. Some of the first shots of the alien artifacts are really beautifully composed. I wish they had put that much thought into the story. It was disappointing to see such an interesting concept be so poorly executed.