When 12 alien spacecraft touch down across the globe, the first challenge is communication. Led by expert linguist Louise Banks, a small team struggles to establish communications and determine the visitors intentions.
Amy Adams (Louise), Jeremy Renner (Ian), Forest Whitaker (Col. Weber), Michael Stuhlbarg (Halpern), Mark O'Brien (Capt. Marks), Tzi Ma (Gen. Shang), Abigail Pniowsky / Julia Dan / Jadyn Malone (Young Hannah).
After a mass landing of alien vessels around the globe, military leaders turn to expert linguist Louise to establish communications with the visitors and determine their intentions. After processing the aliens unusual appearance and the process required to try and speak with them, Louise quickly finds their language is exponentially complex and challenging. With the aliens intent constantly questioned, Louise realizes their language is much more and could potentially change how we view our existence.
Acting was reasonably good with Adams delivery including a slight sense of trepidation. Renner was good as always but surprisingly underused. It was nice seeing Whitaker in a less menacing role, which he managed nicely. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid and enjoyable.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds felt realistic and employed nice variety. The alien ship and other CGI was good, fit the film, and translated visually quite well. The gravity paradigm shift was particularly enjoyable. Dialogue was good and obviously geared toward the dramatic. Sound and soundtrack were mild but okay.
At the end of the day Arrival is an unusual and entertaining sci-fi that blends the visual with the intellectual to quite nicely build a film with depth. Those looking for purely intense CGI may be disappointed, while those who enjoy thought provoking stories should enjoy this one.
With some mild foul language and violence, this should be fine for teens and above.
Released: 2016
Reviewed: 6.11.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Drama, Sci-Fi Thriller, Alien Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Mystery
copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel
Amy Adams (Louise), Jeremy Renner (Ian), Forest Whitaker (Col. Weber), Michael Stuhlbarg (Halpern), Mark O'Brien (Capt. Marks), Tzi Ma (Gen. Shang), Abigail Pniowsky / Julia Dan / Jadyn Malone (Young Hannah).
After a mass landing of alien vessels around the globe, military leaders turn to expert linguist Louise to establish communications with the visitors and determine their intentions. After processing the aliens unusual appearance and the process required to try and speak with them, Louise quickly finds their language is exponentially complex and challenging. With the aliens intent constantly questioned, Louise realizes their language is much more and could potentially change how we view our existence.
Acting was reasonably good with Adams delivery including a slight sense of trepidation. Renner was good as always but surprisingly underused. It was nice seeing Whitaker in a less menacing role, which he managed nicely. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid and enjoyable.
Camera work, sets, and backgrounds felt realistic and employed nice variety. The alien ship and other CGI was good, fit the film, and translated visually quite well. The gravity paradigm shift was particularly enjoyable. Dialogue was good and obviously geared toward the dramatic. Sound and soundtrack were mild but okay.
At the end of the day Arrival is an unusual and entertaining sci-fi that blends the visual with the intellectual to quite nicely build a film with depth. Those looking for purely intense CGI may be disappointed, while those who enjoy thought provoking stories should enjoy this one.
With some mild foul language and violence, this should be fine for teens and above.
Released: 2016
Reviewed: 6.11.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Drama, Sci-Fi Thriller, Alien Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Mystery
copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel
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