A MASTERPIECE

Rating: 10/10 (13 January 2020)

SPOILER-FREE
Attention to anyone who's planning on watching this movie. If you going into this expecting the movie to be like Independence Day, Edge of Tomorrow (a very good movie regarless), or Battleship, then you will be deeply disappointed. This is not your typical alien invasion movie filled with non-stop action, and a gun-toting protagonist
who shouts profanity and spout random pop culture references. But that's okay, it doesn't need to be that kind of movie. There's plenty of movies out there to fill that void. This movie is more closer to something like 2001: A Space Odyssey, or Interstellar. It is movie full of concepts that challenge our mind. Yet, it somehow display a bigger simple theme than most movie. And really, that where it shines best.
I was already a fan of Denis Villeneuve ever since I saw Sicario (another movie with a female protagonist). Sicario was my favorite movie of his. That is, until Arrival arrived (pun intended). This was his first big budget movie and it definitely catapulted him to become today's top new Hollywood director (his next project is Blade Runner. The movie is a slow-paced drama. Imagine it being like an onion. Until all the layers are peeled off, you won't really know what's really going on. Sure, there are hints around (I managed to figure out what the plot is about almost a 3/4 of my viewing), most would really just be scratching their head throughout the movie. But
the events that take around during the final few scenes, or after you have figured out what exactly happens, it is one of the most satisfying scene ever. Yet, somehow it can make us feel even sadder. And might even us question some of these "bigger picture" concept.
The movie proves that us humans have these fundamental programs built into our minds. We will always fear what we don't understand. It is a notion that we can't deny or escape. It also have a very simple theme, yet we can all agree that we haven't been able to fulfill that very theme throughout most of our entire human race existence. The concept of the main heavy subject is even more applaudable when it is compared with the same concept in Islam. It has almost the same idea. But with a more imaginative execution. It also managed to fill just enough space for a fanatic sci-fi to watch it again. The scene where they first enter the heptapod is one of the most memorable scenes in sci-fi movies recently. So there's definitely enough discussion provided for just about the most of us.
The first and final scenes were very strong, emotionally. It made us not just sympathise with the characters, it also made us feel like we're there with them because the theme is very universal. How would you feel if you have the same knowledge as Amy Adams' character, Louise Banks? The technical part of the movie is sublime too. The cinematography is mostly consists of these "a sight to behold" shots. It doesn't rely too much on CGI. So it definitely will stand the test of time. The score (sountrack for those not familiar with the term) are also gripping and catchy when it needs to. Particular for the first and final scene. It definitely contributed to those few teary eyes.
Ultimately, this a must watch movie for most of us except for the hardcore popcorn cookie-cutter movies fan. It deserved to be mentioned, praised, and rewatched again and again in the next few years. And the years after that.