Resist the temptation to depart

Rating: 7/10 (19 August 2019)

The Sci-fi genre has been getting a lot of love from the academy recently, with Gravity, the Martian and now Arrival being nominated for best picture. It is about the arrival of 12 alien ships in different parts of the planet and no one knows what they are here for. That's where linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) comes in. In order to know what the world is up against (or is in for), someone needs to ask the RIGHT questions and be able to understand CORRECTLY the answers they will give. It is important to highlight the need for clear communication because if we humans speaking the same language often end up in misunderstandings, what more with extraterrestrials that uses a different language.
While the movie is enjoyable and thought-provoking, at best it can be considered as a paler version of Interstellar. First, it touches on the concept of time, how looking at it differently than the usual linear way that we do can make you look at things, and your life differently. Second, they had to change the original ending since Interstellar's arc already covered the concept of leaving earth for someplace else.
As for the acting, I'm not sure if it's because of the story or the way it's written but lead stars Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner were underused but both were able to make the most out of what they're given.
If I were to rank the last three sci-fi movies nominated for best picture, Gravity comes in first, the Martian second and Arrival for third place.