A Science Fiction Film for Your Mind

Rating: Null/10 (26 January 2017)

Arrival (2016)
**** (out of 4)
Excellent science fiction film has a linguistics professor (Amy Adams) being called in by the government after twelve spaceships appear out of nowhere. The twelve ships are scattered throughout the world but no one can communicate with them until the professor tries to break through.
Science fiction really isn't my favorite genre but there's no question that whenever it's done right you can get an excellent movie. ARRIVAL is a film about an alien invasion but there aren't any major fights. There really isn't too much action. Those wanting to see Will Smith blow up various spaceships are going to be disappointed because this certainly isn't that type of movie. What ARRIVAL is is a movie that tries to attack your mind instead of your ears and your senses. The movie doesn't try to be some blockbuster, although I must say that it's great to see it capture an audience like it did.
I'm not going to pretend that I understood every single moment or twist in the film but what was so great about the movie is that even though you've seen countless invasion movies, director Denis Villeneuve manages to grab your attention right from the start and bring you into the material and take you for a ride. The film has been attacked by some as being dumb but I'm obviously going to disagree with that. The movie works perfectly as a science fiction film but also as a mystery since the lead characters are basically trying to solve a puzzle before it's too late.
There's no question that one of the greatest things going for the film are its performances but the main focus should be on Adams. She gives an extremely intelligent and rather deep performance as Louise. I'm not going to spoil that various plot twists that happen since that wouldn't be fair to first time viewers but Adams is certainly wonderful in the role. One could argue that no one could figure out this language that the aliens are using but Adams really makes you believe the character and you can take this ride with her because you believe what you're seeing. Both Jeremy Renner and Forrest Whitaker are very good in their supporting roles as well as the various other actors in the supporting parts.
The special effects are another major plus. I really loved the look of the aliens and thought they were simple but effective. Their form of communication also works extremely well and I thought it was a fascinating way to tell the story. The music score, cinematography and all other technical aspects are excellent and in the end ARRIVAL really delivers a thought-provoking story.