Science Fiction Masterpiece!

Rating: 9/10 (11 November 2016)

Science Fiction started out as a thought provoking genre that explored mystery and possibility. Films were made to raise questions about the unknown... The audience was introduced to groundbreaking ideas. Over time, technology developed, and film-makers took advantage of that. We began to see fantastic looking, big-budget pictures that, while being a marvel to look at, lacked the intrigue and mystery that used to be so rich in Sci-fi. Sci-fi, for the most part, became dependent on flashy imagery as opposed to master story telling.
Some films rose above this trend, and recently we have been given some great Sci-fi films. However, Arrival surpasses these and goes down as one of the greatest Science fiction films of all time.
We are given a simple premise that we have seen in movies before. Alien space crafts land on earth and strike fear among the human race. As the film progresses, the story unravels slowly... and transitions into mind-bending, unconventional territory. It goes in a completely new direction that is eye-opening and moving. There are important themes and ideas exposed to us that grab our interest and do not let go. The story is beautifully complex, and challenges its audience to think.
Visually, this film is breathtaking. The direction by Denise Vilineuve takes viewers to a new level of experiencing a film. Gorgeous cinematography and camera-work that is sometimes intimate, sometimes grand, and often unconventional, adding an experience that is both hauntingly surreal and authentic. The visual effects are almost perfectly executed, blending into the films dark, raw style.
The script, equipped with realistic dialogue and deep character development, makes this film stand out. The characters interact with subtle authenticity that feels natural. However, the strongest point of the film is Amy Adams. She embodies a character that is so vulnerable yet convincingly strong-willed. Her performance is all about subtle realism. She has perfected the art of living through a character as opposed to forcing the character out. The film rests on her and she carries it beautifully. All the other actors give convincing performances as well, delivering their dialogue and interacting with each other in such a natural way.
Arrival is a rare gem. It transcends beyond what an audience is used to experiencing. It is a film that cares about what it tells its viewers. It is a film with a purpose. Along with the classic and groundbreaking films of Kubric, Spielburg, Scott, and Lucas, Arrival is one of the best science-fiction movies ever made.