Contact challenges some thoughtful ideas, and the results are something deeply engrossing

Rating: 8/10 (16 November 2016)

What are the possibilities of extraterrestrial life existing on other planets? That's a question mankind has been trying to answer for thousands of years. While the media has managed to hit us with snub footage or photos of UFOs to show ambiguous evidence with aliens visiting Earth, no official confirmation has made leaving many of the public as well as scientists all over the globe skeptical. The idea of public's search for evidence of extraterrestrial life and the media's response to highly speculated phenomenon is greatly explored is this science-fiction drama (based on a novel by Carl Sagan) directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on a well-known innovator of visual storytelling in the cinematic world. Juggling though-provoking ideas, emotionally-packed storytelling, and innovation of visual effects; this film sees Robert Zemeckis pedaling one of his bravest ambitions yet. This film stars Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, an astronomer searching for evidence of possible extraterrestrial life outside our planet, a speculation she's encountered since he was a little girl before her father (played by David Morse) passed away. Assisted by blind SETI scientist Kent Clark (played by William Fichtner), Ellie makes a great use of a powerful radio system when she suddenly hears bizarre noises from above the atmosphere indicating possible alien life. With the public including the National Security Adviser David Drumlin (played by Tom Skeritt) along with religious leaders and the government denying the validation of her research, Ellie must go far out of her away for prove everyone wrong.
The biggest surprise Robert Zemeckis brings to the table other than a step from the typical alien invasion disaster clichés is adding something more thought-provoking to the genre and executing it in a way that will leave viewers filling their heads with questions. And it by many means, it is effective. Though some may argue that Zemeckis raises big concepts over storytelling, the style in which he crafts the story of Ellie trying to search for the truth about extraterrestrial life is enough for viewers to even considers this a valid flaw. The film journeys us through any emotionally touching adventure that explores a thoughtful idea that speculates how society (particularly the media) would react to the possible discovery of aliens existing on other planets. One of the main themes tackled throughout is the challenge between science and the belief in God, similarly how our country has challenged the issue between whether evolution or creationism is true. That is where Matthew McConaughey as the lover of Jodie Foster's character comes in as the religious philosopher who initially denies her ideas, but eventually becomes more worried about losing her than what the truth holds in her research. Though the plot doesn't go completely flawless, it sets out to be engaging and with the magic of the director's storytelling, it never feels ham-fisted. Aside from this, Robert Zemeckis also doesn't the story's emotional core nor an amazing use of visual effects for granted, he brings them to life and drives a story that really works.
Contact is a thoughtful science-fiction drama that not boasts the amazing ambition of Robert Zemeckis' filmmaking, but strikes a thought-provoking core that will likely leave viewers with many discussions once the film reaches the end credits. And let's not forget the decent performances by Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey who give it their awe in their roles. All in all, the beauty of Zemeckis's filmmaking is too inspiring to ignore.