'Arrival' is a masterpiece—it was, it is, and it will be.

Rating: 10/10 (25 March 2017)

'Arrival' is a masterpiece—it was, it is, and it will be.
This film balances the alien sci-fi element with its motifs of unity and balance. The language of the aliens shows the power of balance. We see balance between individuals (e.g.: Ian and Louise), balance between countries, and balance between the sciences (e.g.: numerical methods and linguistics). These balanced converge on the main thesis: a balanced worldview, in which we make decisions seeing the end from the beginning.
This movie involved me on a deep emotional level, and makes me want to be a better person. But on to the technical side. The pacing was excellent—it keeps the viewer involved throughout. The accurate linguistics and scientific analysis delighted me. The governmental decisions were understandable, though often frustrating (this was deliberate—I was grateful for the point they were making). The visual effects were well done and not overbearing. The use of time was clever and enjoyable, reflecting the theme well.
I wholly recommend this film to everyone.