It is not about the destination; it is all about the journey

Rating: 6/10 (6 March 2017)

Enemy (2013) and Prisoners (2013) merge and become Arrival (2016); a movie with continuous flashbacks and flashforwards - the main trouble with the pace and timing in this film.
Denis Villeneuve, the 'Mystery-Drama-Man', is stimulating us to think that the journey (our life) is far worthier than the final destination (death). And this is something that can be understood thanks to Louise, because it is her who embraces life after suffering all losses in her past, and the events that will happen in her future. This is why she offers to the observers the thoughtful question of: "if you could view your life as an image, a story told in one nonlinear and infinite symbol, would you change it?"
But be careful, because the director makes us think that Louise is remembering her past when she could be actually seeing glimpses of her future! What is more, the movie is so slow that one could fall asleep four or five times during the movie! In here, everything happens every 15 minutes than the linear films we are accustomed to watch. This is why Arrival is not better than neither Prisoners nor Enemy. At least, in both movies from 2013 follow a linear path with a mysterious end, whereas in here the inexplicableness is not around the heptapods but Louise's visions.
Despite this, it should be pointed out that there is no better choice for Louise Banks' role than Amy Adams. She is just brilliant. Every single move, word and look is just outstanding. And that is what the movie is about. The movie is all about Louise and the interactions in her mind, with her friends and between the 'aliens heptapods'.
As a matter of fact, the problem is presented in front of us and it is something like "imagine that there are 12 alien ships which have just arrived and positioned themselves around the globe - what would you do?" Well, if the word was given to the Chinese General Shang, he would probably destroy humanity. But let us not forget that "in war there are no winners, only widows". Why do we have to fight? Let us learn the language of these aliens, teach them our language or let us do both things. Let us think about the consequences! Some of them could be changed. Others, like Louise's case, could be foreseen, and although Hannah's future will be dreadful, it might be worth to enjoy her a little bit.
In a nutshell - the idea of the movie is excellent. It touches both reality and fantasy. The timing and pace were the only issue to convert this movie into Best Motion Picture of the Year at the awful Academy Awards given to the Moonlight-Disaster.