INFINITELY MYSTERIOUS AND EMOTIONAL.

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2019)

My Rating : 9/10
The first time seeing 'Arrival' in a theater confused and bored me to death and I couldn't understand anything having lost interest mid-way - also I wasn't such a cinephile 2 years ago. But a second viewing completely changed everything! Kudos to the film for surprising me so beautifully and keeping me fully engaged!
How would I describe it? It's a hybrid of 'The Tree of Life' and 'Interstellar' except not as expansive - it's very minimal - though extremely well-edited to have maximum impact.
It's more a fairy-tale for adults using interesting concepts of time, language and adding in aliens because aliens are cool and intelligent. Yes, there is some suspension of disbelief required on part of the viewer to ignore the plot holes and cliches, so if you're able to 'buy into' the fairy tale you're in for a philosophical, emotional ride.
Using communication and the idea of how as people we are limited in our understanding of the world because of 'thinking' in a particular language 'Arrival' explores our fundamental reason for existence - Why are WE here and what if we had the ability to see the future what would we do and how would we live and make choices going forward? Would we change anything along the way or not?
Honestly, I am really overjoyed at having seen this movie - it really offers the viewer a variety of perspectives - the movie is like the heptapod and we the audience playing the protagonist and figuring out how it all fits in our own lives!
Brilliant piece of filmmaking. The only reason it's not getting a 10/10 is because of some plotholes which are kind of cringe if you know what I mean.