Thought-provoking, but preposterous

Rating: 7/10 (11 July 2017)

This is an engaging movie with a few familiar themes: huge and mysterious spacecraft suddenly show up, first contact with aliens, science vs. military, individual effort battling group think. But what gives this film its real pizazz is the 'flashback' under-plot that starts early on and only becomes (moderately) comprehensible after various revelations and breakthroughs that emerge gradually from the main plot. Because of this, the story is quite complex and keeps the unraveling in progress all the way.
Ultimately, however, the denouement is (to me) unsatisfying. No amount of arm-waving is going to convince me of the main premise, which shall remain unrevealed.
A very interesting movie, but left me disappointed. Maybe I should read the story it is based on.