Monumentally Stupid

Rating: 4/10 (8 January 2017)

I don't normally write reviews but after seeing so many reviews praising this ridiculous film I just had to say something. It is not a spoiler to say this is an alien contact film. I am an SF fan of 50 years standing. I have read thousands of SF books and seen most SF films. I am a fan. So when I see something as idiotic as this I leave the cinema full of regret at the wasted opportunity. It's hard to talk about the film without giving away key plot points so I'll be general. Amy Adams first attempts at communication are laughable. Let's just say the method used would never, ever be the first choice of anyone with half a brain. We also get the oft repeated cliché about certain aspects of the military. Perhaps it is true that the military are that stupid but I prefer to think not. Good acting cannot save silly ideas and the premise of this movie was just that. Silly. But worse the pseudo science was also dumb. The fundamental appeal of SF for me has always been ideas. The science doesn't have to be perfect but it has to be a little believable. This movie was not . . intelligent.