Very disappointing.

Rating: 4/10 (27 March 2001)

This movie took up a very relevant theme, religion vs. science. Yet I felt it was biased towards science from the outset. For example if you look at who you have representing religion: an ex-holy man (who quit being a priest because he could not manage the chastity vow? Of course not all Christian religions require their priests to take a chastity vow.), and a religious fanatic. Also, the alien's own words support her viewpoint. So while this movie takes on a very serious and challenging topic, it does not seem to want to, or be able to, dealing with it with the amount of thought and insight that is required. Also,as a side note I found the portrayal of the presidential security advisor to be very one-dimensional and irritating. Ultimately a disappointing movie.