About as close to real thing as we might ever get

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2003)

This is a classy, beautifully executed sci-fi tale about the true ramifications of contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence. It is the most realistic portrayal of cultural, governmental, and scientific reaction to such a bombshell discovery that one could ever predict. But the story has two serious flaws:
1. Jodie Foster's affair with the preacher, and his preoccupation with her believing in God is a distraction, and only presents a "speed bump" in the film's momentum. It also promotes the tired old stereotype that scientists are all atheists.
2. the climax at the galactic core with alien-morphed-into-father, is a hokey old cliche and reminiscent of some of the poorer Star Trek plots. Yeah, it's impossible to show a realistic benevolent alien (even the visionary Kubrick steered clear of it). But this is just silly.
other than that the scenes at Kennedy Space Center, the White House, the VLA, etc. are so plausible they give the film a special polish and rock solid realism.