Disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (14 April 2017)

Unfortunately arrival is in the end just another trial of Hollywood to go intellectual.
The really intriguing idea of changing the perception of time and time itself by learning a language that has a circular definition of it is just plain beautiful. And linking this idea to a personal life is just great. How does a human cope with the knowledge of all things to happen? In this case getting a child that tragically dies as a teenager. Would you go on living this life?
Unfortunately these things unravel only at the end. The last 10 minutes of the film are convincing.
But the 1:40 before that are uninspired to right out boring. The fantastic idea is superseded by the typical Hollywood stuff.
Instead of telling us a convincing personal story, perhaps even with aliens, the filmmakers decided to drown almost everything in the usual line: military investigates, scientists are summoned under their command, earth governments consider an armed conflict. This is the source of suspense and drama. Missing completely the real point.
This whole setup really buries most of the movie.
It is a tragedy to see this beautiful idea wasted that thoroughly.
Acting is great. Cinematography is spectacular at selected few moments but generally sub par. Music is fine.