over-rated science fiction drama

Rating: 7/10 (4 August 2001)

I found Contact to be over-rated, and ultimately a failure as science fiction - or indeed any other form of drama. That it not to say that there is not much to enjoy, for there are good segments. But ultimately the film cannot be rated as a success, principally because of the implausibility of the post-mission events. If you haven't seen the film yet don't read further.
Spoinlers -
Why didn't someone attempt another trip? Why did they say it was all a hoax, simply because the astronaut claimed to have been away for 18 hours, and no one missed her? How could anyone seriously believe a signal from a distant star system could be faked? It is simply pretentiousness to hang the film on religion versus science, and hard facts against instinct/wishes.
Without logical plot development the end result is a great disappointment, and a waste of some good potential.