"Contact: Intelligence, and beyond. A little strung out.

Rating: Null/10 (26 January 1999)

Upon watching Contact a second time, I had realized that it did a terrible injustice to the book. But hey; they had to give the people what they wanted.
Matthew McConaughey does a somewhat half-hearted Palmer Joss; The objective Christian, and Ellie's love interest. I also found that the Foster/McConaughey couple was very unconvincing. Foster, however puts forth some very excellent scenes.
I find the plot alterations and character choices (in comparison to the novel) unfulfilling. In the novel, a very heated philosophical debate between Ellie and a Fundamental Christian activist proves to be one of the most emotional scenes I have ever read, and should have ben put into the film. The issue of religion is put forth simply, whilst also being controversial. The theme of faith is enforced to an acceptable level, I would have liked seeing more of it.
A lot of the character background of Ellie was unnecessary, yet didn't really ruin the movie. It shows comparisons of the child and adult Ellie very well, and shows how her history still shadows her ambitions.
All around, Contact was an excellent movie. The only real downside to it was the lack of emotion in the love-story aspect of the film. Being such a great novel, Contact cannot be compared to the film, because, as usual the book is more satisfying. Contact is one of the most successful attempts of book-to-screen cinema.
I give it 8/10 stars for an incredible attempt.