Arrival Review

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     Sci-fi has had a bit of a renaissance in the past few years. Whether it’s clever sci-fi action movies like Edge of Tomorrow and Inception or intense and thought-provoking dramas like Ex Machina and the Planet of the Apes remakes, it’s easy to find good quality films in the genre. Now up-and-coming director Denis Villeneuve, the man responsible for Sicario, Prisoners, and the maddeningly obtuse Enemy, is stepping in to provide his own take on the genre. Backed with an all-star cast and based on a very popular short story, does Arrival hit the mark? Let’s find out. 

      Arrival tells the story of Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a brilliant linguist who is called in by the military when twelve alien spaceships appear over random parts of the world. The ships, which aren’t acting hostile at the moment, open up to receive visitors every now and then, which is where Banks comes in. Her job, along with theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), is to make first contact with these aliens and figure out a way to communicate with them. As she begins to make progress, the fragile alliance amongst the nations with alien landing sites is threatened by increasingly secretive members and a lack of trust that begins to turn them against each other. With China leading the charge to eradicate the aliens, Dr. Banks has to find out the secrets of the aliens and discover what they came for before it’s too late. 

     When you think of good sci-fi films you tend to think of movies that are wonderfully crafted and beautiful to look at (think Jurassic Park or Moon), and Arrival is no different. Denis Villeneuve once again proves that he is one of the best directors working today by channeling directors as diverse as Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and even Terrence Malick into his own vision to create a very unique looking film. The wide shots of the landing sites are truly breathtaking, and the special effects are top-notch for a film that had the relatively low budget of $47 million. It’d be fair to call this movie the anti-Independence Day, with a more measured pace, measured score by the wonderful Johan Johansson (what an awesome name), and intelligent script, but it’s the simple fact that a shot of the alien ship coming into view through the mists of Montana causes more awe and wonder than a battle sequence involving hundreds of futuristic fighter jets that cements that point. I was soured on Villeneuve after the “Oh it’s just spiders” ending to Enemy, but he’s shown himself to be a versatile director and is quickly becoming a director to watch. 

     None of the technical mumbo jumbo I just threw at you doesn’t mean anything if there isn’t a great cast to back it up, and the actors bring their A-games to every scene they’re in. Forrest Whitaker is in this as the colonel who recruits Banks, but he manages to subvert all military general stereotypes by being the vessel for the audience, asking the right questions in order to get the very complicated linguistics broken down into basic English. He also properly conveys the ticking clock that our heroes are under, and despite his shaky Boston (?) accent Whitaker does a great job. Jeremy Renner also takes this opportunity to remind the world that he can act when he’s not showing up to be set dressing in the Marvel films that he’s actually a very talented actor. His character is the brainy counterpart to Banks, preferring math and science to linguistics, and he sells that as well as the great chemistry and humor that he has with her. They make an effective duo on-screen and you never feel like Renner is phoning it in, as he may or may not have in the past. 

     Hands down, though, this is 100% Amy Adams’ movie. She is the central figure in most of the scenes and it is her performance that really sells you on what’s going on. Whether it’s the actual linguistics of it all, the communication with the aliens or dealing with the failing alliance of nations, she keeps us all engaged and informed through her performance. She is a strong woman that has suffered great loss but still pushes forward, and is a good role model for anyone to follow, but her performance goes so much deeper than that. I can’t say why, but the subtle little nuances she puts into the role of Louise Banks start to stand out more once you realize what’s really happening, and the fact that she was able to sell that especially just proves why she’s one of the most talented actresses working in Hollywood today. I might say this a lot about people in the upcoming movies, but I think she definitely deserves awards consideration for her performance here. 

     The glue that ties this all together is the script, based on the wonderful short story by Ted Chiang (do not read this before watching the movie, just to let you know), which takes many of the standard sci-fi tropes and creates something very unique amongst the very familiar. There is still the first contact problem of trying to communicate with the aliens (who use images rather than words to talk, an interesting take on how we communicate on this planet), and the underlying message is that we have to come together to solve problems, but the film pulls it off so well that I forgive the familiarities. This movie and this message are exactly what our nation, hell our entire world, need right now and I think for that message alone you need to go out and see it. However, there is a huge twist that slowly unravels through the movie that will both change how you view the film leading up to that point and will open a brand new and very interesting philosophical question that has had me racking my brain over it since I saw the film. Bravo to Eric Heisserer, the screenwriter who managed to make all this fit. I envy your talent, sir, and I hope I can write something half as good someday! 

     I honestly don’t have any problems with this film, but I need to slap a big ol’ YMMV right here and now. If you are expecting a standard action flick where Amy Adams has to pick up a gun and fight off alien invaders (not unlike a certain other alien movie she was in), then you are not going to enjoy this as much. This is a drama, with a methodical and slow pace that successfully builds tension and intrigue amongst those that are interested but pure torture in those that are not. The linguistics stuff and the ultimate twist can be a bit difficult to wrap your head around if you’re not paying attention, even though I think it’s easier to understand than the big ideas presented in Inception or Interstellar. For me, I absolutely loved those aspects of it, but if you don’t think you are then you’re better off spending your money elsewhere. 

     Those that know me know that I’m a huge mark for sci-fi films, particularly good ones. The Martian and Ex Machina were my top two favorite movies last year, and in 2014, the year where Birdman, Boyhood, and even my beloved Blue Ruin were released, it was Dawn of the Planet of the Apes that stood above them all for me. When I see movies like Arrival I feel inspired as a creator to keep writing, because this is the kind of stuff I have always wanted to make, but on top of all that it’s just a damn fine movie. With a strong unifying message, great performances, top-notch direction and a twist that will leave you reeling, Arrival is a must see and is hands down my favorite film of the year so far. Good luck trying to top this one, Hollywood! 

My Rating: 5 stars out of 5 

Arrival is in theaters now. 

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