Read Negative User Reviews for Arrival

1

foxgroveNov 15, 2016

An 'alien' film to leave you totally alienated! This is so self-important and ponderously dull that it makes Ingmar Bergman's depressive dramas seem like comic farces. The screenplay is all **** and pretension in which Amy Adams' languageAn 'alien' film to leave you totally alienated! This is so self-important and ponderously dull that it makes Ingmar Bergman's depressive dramas seem like comic farces. The screenplay is all **** and pretension in which Amy Adams' language specialist amazingly deciphers the black ink vocabulary of the extra-terrestrials in record breaking time. A feat that only ever happens in the movies. The creatures themselves look like a cross between giant squids and an elephant's foot, and it's no exaggeration to state that their presence is underwhelming. The first ten minutes promise much but we never get that film. Instead as soon as the alien pods arrive degeneration in to boredom is immediate and sleep inducingly effective. Praised by the highbrow critics, make no mistake this is alarmingly over rated. A totally confused and uninteresting example of the sci-fi genre. Arrive? It certainly did. However, I couldn't wait to leave!… Expand

23 of 46 users found this helpful2323

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1

shaunmedNov 30, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nothing here that hasn't been done a thousand times. Simple time loop paradox. If you're looking for a movie about aliens, this is not it. It really has nothing to do at all with aliens. It's a weak tug at heart strings depicting a story about a parent that loses a child. The chemistry between the two main actors is non existent. Just a terrible waste of 2 hours.… Expand

18 of 36 users found this helpful1818

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3

Tss5078Nov 14, 2016

Arrival is being called one of the best Science Fiction films in years. It is one of the best rated and reviewed films of 2016, and is drawing comparisons to Close Encounters of The Third Kind, but I have a question, did they watch the sameArrival is being called one of the best Science Fiction films in years. It is one of the best rated and reviewed films of 2016, and is drawing comparisons to Close Encounters of The Third Kind, but I have a question, did they watch the same film that I did? I wasn't crazy about Close Encounters, but that movie was leaps and bounds ahead of this one. Twelve alien crafts land in random places all across the planet, and the people are in a panic. Some countries react with hostility, but the U.S. Government decides to act cautiously (yeah right), and send Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), the best linguist they have, to figure out a way to community with the aliens. The aliens, turn out to be giant octopus, whose language turns out to be ink that they squirt into the air. This movie features flashbacks and flash-forwards, that seemingly make no sense, until the end when you finally figure out what they mean and once you do, you realize that you just wasted two hours of your life. If that wasn't bad enough, the film moves at an absolute snails pace, I mean you could take everything that actually happened in the film and squeeze it into about twenty minutes. The rest is just people talking to each other about the same damn thing over and over again. Trying to figure out the same thing over and over again. Worrying about the same things over and over again. The characters have no personality whatsoever, and you might think that it's one of those slow moving weird films that all comes together in an amazing ending, but no, it doesn't. Once you can see the whole picture, as one lady in the theater so eloquently shouted out, "really, that's it, that was so stupid." Her uncontrolled outburst really sums up this entire film. Honestly I think the slower and more artistic a film is, the more the critics love it, but I am one critic who isn't fooled by great actors and emotional music, this isn't the best film of the year, this is the biggest turd of the year, and it should be avoided at all costs!… Expand

38 of 84 users found this helpful3846

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2

CarribeanDeanNov 12, 2016

boooooring. As a big fan of Sicario and Prisoners i expected better. paint dries more entertainingky than this. like watching a kid draw with an etch a sketch for 2 hours. Even Forrest Whitaker sucked. Jeremy Renner often sucks, no surpriseboooooring. As a big fan of Sicario and Prisoners i expected better. paint dries more entertainingky than this. like watching a kid draw with an etch a sketch for 2 hours. Even Forrest Whitaker sucked. Jeremy Renner often sucks, no surprise there. it felt like they were afraid to wake up the audience.… Expand

18 of 40 users found this helpful1822

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3

gfnyNov 14, 2016

The movie preview showed aircraft flying overhead. This was the only action in the entire movie. A low budget, slow, out of focus movie. Watching paint dry has more action. A rare film that wanted to make me demand my money back.

24 of 54 users found this helpful2430

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0

fantasyNov 11, 2016

This was on my must see movie list. The movie starts out very slow, then gets slower until finally I started to doze off. The movie makes absolutely no sense. There's no suspense or any action. Other than Amy Adams performance the rest ofThis was on my must see movie list. The movie starts out very slow, then gets slower until finally I started to doze off. The movie makes absolutely no sense. There's no suspense or any action. Other than Amy Adams performance the rest of the cast is nothing as they mailed their parts in. The ending is beyond ridiculous. Avoid unless you have insomnia. You've been warned.… Expand

16 of 37 users found this helpful1621

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0

LafflixNov 20, 2016

Viewer be warned. Preview contains all the "excitement" of this supposedly "clever" sci-fi movie (very sad). Actually, this has been grossly overhyped by professional film critics. I would like to have my money back if possible. Dark,Viewer be warned. Preview contains all the "excitement" of this supposedly "clever" sci-fi movie (very sad). Actually, this has been grossly overhyped by professional film critics. I would like to have my money back if possible. Dark, slow, incoherent plot that challenge you to stay awake. Tried my very hardest to enjoy this movie, but failed to do so. One film critic graciously rated this as: wait until it comes out in DVD. My vote: skip this movie and spend your hard earned money elsewhere. In summary, I feel scammed by the professional film critics, similar to the many fake reviews on Amazon.… Expand

18 of 42 users found this helpful1824

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3

Dragonfly44Nov 27, 2017

This movie was so dull that I’d watch Barney Reruns while eating whatever I can find in the garbage bin rather than sit through all two hours of this severely underwhelming story again.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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2

argonsteeleNov 16, 2016

wow. record breaking boring for an alien movie. disappointing from top to bottom. almost unwatchable. pretentious, slow, dry. i seriously thought of asking for my money back on the way out. sheesh.

13 of 28 users found this helpful1315

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2

ThermonuclearNov 20, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ultimately a boring yarn that resolves on a 'twist' that a presumed flashback is actually a flash forward.
Dull and ambiguous but lacking in mystery. Flawed.… Expand

11 of 24 users found this helpful1113

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0

andrelol3Jan 17, 2017

Just a pseudo-intellectual movie. It looks like a intelligent movie, but it really isn't. The plot is stupid, the characters are all stupid, the pacing is terrible and, during the whole movie, NOTHING interesting and smart happens. Hell, IJust a pseudo-intellectual movie. It looks like a intelligent movie, but it really isn't. The plot is stupid, the characters are all stupid, the pacing is terrible and, during the whole movie, NOTHING interesting and smart happens. Hell, I could even say nothing happens in the movie at all...

This is really a hipster movie. It looks different and smart, but is has nothing going for it.… Expand

8 of 18 users found this helpful810

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0

bgrecoFeb 25, 2017

Awful, make no sense, probably one of the worst science fiction movie of all time....boring to death...really, if you want to sleep, watch it....the good press is all wrong ....

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

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3

JudNov 15, 2016

I've never seen a movie so tedious and suspenseful at the same time with such a letdown in the end. Although the acting was superb, unless you like art for art's sake, don't bother with this one. The critics really got this one wrong. ItI've never seen a movie so tedious and suspenseful at the same time with such a letdown in the end. Although the acting was superb, unless you like art for art's sake, don't bother with this one. The critics really got this one wrong. It won't answer most of the questions you'll come up with while watching it, including the one that makes the whole story unnecessary: just learn their language the same way your children learn English. Duh!… Expand

11 of 25 users found this helpful1114

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0

JuakinNov 19, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Typical dead child of cancer (hollywood typical **** the movie tries that you feel sad about the child but you don't get to know her so you don't care, nothing happens in the movie, boring. I want my money and time back.… Expand

10 of 23 users found this helpful1013

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0

NOLAWAYNENov 17, 2016

You know those movies people tell you they like because they want to seem cool. This is one. What a bunch of convoluted goo. Not worth your time. Sicario was awesome this tries to be too mystic and ends up being boring and pretentious.

10 of 23 users found this helpful1013

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1

BHBarryNov 12, 2016

“Arrival” stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker in this sci-fi drama written by Eric Heisserer based on a novel by Ted Chiang (“The Story of Your Life”). The film was directed by Denis Villanueve who, together with the writer“Arrival” stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker in this sci-fi drama written by Eric Heisserer based on a novel by Ted Chiang (“The Story of Your Life”). The film was directed by Denis Villanueve who, together with the writer and the editor, if there was one, must take full responsibility for the 2 hours I wasted watching their product. The movie is slow, confusing and complicated and the scenes float back in time and place without ever clearly indicating what was intended by its creative team. Ms. Adams can do no wrong for she is a talented actor but somehow she got placed in this amateurish attempt at a modern day “ET”. The film is not only a disservice to Ms. Adams’ talent but to the audience that must suffer through the picture as well. I must have looked at my watch at least 5X during the course of the film and, in so doing, found the hands on my timepiece more interesting that that which was being projected on to the screen. What amazes me most is that so many professional critics found this movie to be worthy of their highest rating, again proving that being paid for an opinion doesn’t mean it has value. I give this film a 1.0 rating and if I hadn’t been in the company of my wife and friends, I would have walked out of the theater mid way through it. The only recommendation I can make about this film is to respectfully suggest to Ms. Adams that she hire a new talent agent..… Expand

12 of 28 users found this helpful1216

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2

BringitbackNov 20, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Let's face it, a story like this hasn't crossed the paths of viewers only once before, right? I thoroughly enjoyed the actors in this production. Kudos for the CGI (thank goodness there was a lot of grays available). Question me this: Why did her hands shake? What was said to make her husband leave? How could she figure out what was being said? Was it "flash back" or flash forward" or "flash sideways"? Why was Costello dying? Why did the story take the audience through the back door (again) to find us at the beginning? Did this happen? Was it going to happen? Did one of the last lines allow us to think that maybe the end results that have been seen will be changed? As for the production: Why were the interiors so dark? To save money. Go NFN whenever possible, right? There are several more questions to ask, but I do not want to actually ask direct questions that no one will answer of this movie. I do not know what movie the other people who commented were watching on this site (and a few others), but the one we just watched is far from being “Oscar” material as one person mentioned. The idea of the visitor… Well, I suppose it was an easy way to “communicate” to the persons portrayed, but come on,really? Did the writers answer any questions? No. There is a whole lot more, but I can easily state (and without reserve), I would rather have watched “Gravity” again. I mean no disrespect to the actors. It should have started and finished. The script was created –middle – “present” – middle – “present”. The comments of those few people who saw the movie today were walking out saying “huh”? There was a chance at the first few scenes to make this a gripping idea. Then...well, we were all inked!… Expand

9 of 21 users found this helpful912

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1

Paperboy17Nov 23, 2016

Took nearly 90 minutes to figure out what this movie was really about. I will never get that time back. This is a love story and about time, with aliens.
I will never get nearly 2 hour of my life back.

9 of 21 users found this helpful912

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2

tasslehoff69Feb 17, 2017

I thought the beginning half of the movie was fairly good and I was interested in the story. The ending was so bad it actually made me angry and I yelled at my TV.

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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2

GreatMartinNov 30, 2016

I went to see “Arrival” sort of reluctantly because I am not into sci-fi movies with aliens coming to take the world over and a war ensues between the good guys (us) and the Bad (the aliens) and we always win. It was a choice of seeing thisI went to see “Arrival” sort of reluctantly because I am not into sci-fi movies with aliens coming to take the world over and a war ensues between the good guys (us) and the Bad (the aliens) and we always win. It was a choice of seeing this movie or “Rules Don’t Apply” and I am not a fan of Warren Beatty’s and I understand it is really a flop so I decided on “Arrival”.

The main reasons I was interested in seeing “Arrival” was because I am becoming a big fan of Amy Adams and on YouTube I saw a video titled “Arrival Ending Explained” which intrigued me though I didn’t watch it until after I saw the movie.

The first hour of the movie was like watching a foreign language film without subtitles and didn’t hold me interest at all. The second hour with the 12 egg-shaped UFOs all over the world set up the standard them versus us but that isn’t where it goes.

Amy Adams is Dr. Louise Banks, is a language expert, who had a daughter who died at the age of 12, and is called on to help make contact with the aliens who are named Abbot & Costello by the theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly, played by Jeremy Renner, who brings the very rare humor in the movie. They work together in ways not exactly up to what Colonel Weber, (Forest Whitaker) and a CIA agent played by Michael Stuhlbarg want from them.

The film revolves around Adams and Renner with little time for the other actors except for an important cameo by Tzi Ma who plays the Chinese leader though it is Adams who holds your attention every time she is on screen which is through the whole film.

The film is not about them versus us but about time and how it can be looked at in different ways. We see many scenes with the mother and daughter from birth until her death 12 years later and by the ending these scenes all are looked at in a way that we weren’t aware while watching them.

The ending is done subtly by the director Denis Villeneuve and screenwriter Eric Heisserer instead of hammering the audience over the head but I really wished I had watched that YouTube video before I saw the film.

Adams performance is constrained, as it should be, where it could have been melodramatic. When it comes to her what it all is about she calmly accepts and understands what is happening and what happened. Renner is very strong support for her performance.

This is not an ‘entertaining’ film in the sense you can sit back, munch on your popcorn and enjoy aliens invading earth but to which you have to think.

“Arrival” for the most part is a boring film except for the last 15 minutes and I didn’t think the time invested was really worth the first 101 minutes and time is what the film is all about.… Expand

8 of 19 users found this helpful811

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3

MightyThorDec 5, 2016

I don't get all the praise heaped on this movie. Maybe if I knew more of what to expect going in, because I expected sci fi/thriller type along the lines of Prometheus and Interstellar. While this movie starts out very promising with a lot ofI don't get all the praise heaped on this movie. Maybe if I knew more of what to expect going in, because I expected sci fi/thriller type along the lines of Prometheus and Interstellar. While this movie starts out very promising with a lot of intrigue about the alien visitors, it soon drags, devolving into a commentary on human existence that really isn't emotionally moving or anything. There is a twist to the movie that was mildly interesting but seemed very copy cat of Interstellar, and then it ended very abruptly. I hated the ending. Basically there was no explanation of the reasoning behind anything and you are left hanging. It's just supposed to make you appreciate your humanity and question your life choices I guess.

The one positive though is the acting throughout is superb. Even the dialogue is fine, just the pacing and ending are awful.… Expand

8 of 19 users found this helpful811

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2

safari4me1943Nov 18, 2016

I attended this movie with a friend and we were looking forward to seeing it. When it was over we both looked at each other and asked 'what was that movie about ? The flashbacks to her child and the confusion of future and past events madeI attended this movie with a friend and we were looking forward to seeing it. When it was over we both looked at each other and asked 'what was that movie about ? The flashbacks to her child and the confusion of future and past events made us spend more time trying to figure the scripts meaning. We could not understand the complexity of the movie and what turned the evening into a chaotic movie was truly disappointing and hours later we were still trying to figure it out. If it could have been less entangled with the past, present and future it would have been wonderful. It was a waste of hard earned money.… Expand

10 of 24 users found this helpful1014

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1

magnusgrafexNov 29, 2016

I'm sorry I don't know how this movie got such good reviews. It was dumb dumb dumb and boring. I would describe it as a chick-flick sci-fi movie. Don't bother seeing it and these high reviews are way off. Must be the "different" effect.I'm sorry I don't know how this movie got such good reviews. It was dumb dumb dumb and boring. I would describe it as a chick-flick sci-fi movie. Don't bother seeing it and these high reviews are way off. Must be the "different" effect. Different does not = good.… Expand

7 of 17 users found this helpful710

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0

avan1976Dec 9, 2016

The visuals and acting are great. And the initial interactions with the aliens were fascinating. Unfortunately, emotional flashbacks (forwards), which make little sense, are becoming a bit of a cliche for humanizing these kinds of movies. IThe visuals and acting are great. And the initial interactions with the aliens were fascinating. Unfortunately, emotional flashbacks (forwards), which make little sense, are becoming a bit of a cliche for humanizing these kinds of movies. I wish these directors could accept that the geeky aspects are enough to sustain a kick-ass sci-fi movie (if done well). What next: faster-than-light travel powered by a mother's love for her child?… Expand

6 of 15 users found this helpful69

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1

0815Dec 2, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Boring, boring, boring....blablabla boring, boring, boring.
DonT waste your money on this **** movie.
The biggest disappointment in cinema history. Better watch "it came from outer space"… Expand

6 of 15 users found this helpful69

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2

paulmarsDec 11, 2016

D.O.A.

Sterile, lifeless, dull, drab, uninspiring, anti-climatic, confused, uncharismatic, overrated, unappealing, frustrating, tired, sleep-inducing, unimaginative, cheezy.

5 of 13 users found this helpful58

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0

pbanjomanDec 8, 2016

Boring, boring, boring. Worst Sci-fi ever. I want my money back!!! This is what you get when a Millennial finds his parents LSD, trips out on it and produces a movie. I fell asleep three times! It is unbelievable, boring, slow, slow, slowBoring, boring, boring. Worst Sci-fi ever. I want my money back!!! This is what you get when a Millennial finds his parents LSD, trips out on it and produces a movie. I fell asleep three times! It is unbelievable, boring, slow, slow, slow and not logical.… Expand

6 of 16 users found this helpful610

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1

FrankomanMar 5, 2017

I love sci-fi. From Star Wars to 2001 (my all time fav), Alien, although not so much Aliens, The Abyss, 12 Monkeys, Blade Runner, The Thing, and Gattaca to name but a few, and just to show the range that appeals to me, a sci-fi lover.

So farI love sci-fi. From Star Wars to 2001 (my all time fav), Alien, although not so much Aliens, The Abyss, 12 Monkeys, Blade Runner, The Thing, and Gattaca to name but a few, and just to show the range that appeals to me, a sci-fi lover.

So far I have read reviews stating Arrival is about big ideas, it's a character study, it's sci-fi for the mind, thought provoking, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Well, that last part was true. I was on the edge of my seat all through the movie, but only because the remote was just out of reach. The rest? Well, I'd like to know what the **** you people were smoking to get anything out of this bilge. I have never, in my life, watched such garbage. A film about nothing. And I got it. I understood it. I know what happened, and why. I just couldn't give a flying ****, about any of them. A pretentious movie, with pretentious Aliens, where nothing happens.

What the **** is happening to people?… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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2

anonymous1babyJan 12, 2017

Amy Adams and JR gave good if not great performances, but beyond that there's nothing here to keep a serious sci-fi fan interested. As others have said, it's slow, boring, and intellectually uninteresting.

Ask yourself how a race from theAmy Adams and JR gave good if not great performances, but beyond that there's nothing here to keep a serious sci-fi fan interested. As others have said, it's slow, boring, and intellectually uninteresting.

Ask yourself how a race from the present or future that is capable of time/interstellar travel can't figure out a few basic languages before they get here? And the needless gravity manipulation? Why not rotate the ship and use a ramp? More goofy parlor tricks to keep the FX folks busy. The time travel wrinkle was just a way to get out of multiple plot dead-ends.

Villeneuve's oooh, ahhh direction is just ridiculous stalling when a better script was necessary.… Expand

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

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0

ViajeDec 8, 2016

Don’t waste your time with this unnecessarily protracted pseudo-science-fiction drama about first-contact with aliens. Instead, see 1977’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” or even better the classic 1951 original, "The Day the EarthDon’t waste your time with this unnecessarily protracted pseudo-science-fiction drama about first-contact with aliens. Instead, see 1977’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” or even better the classic 1951 original, "The Day the Earth Stood Still."… Expand

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

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3

AeschylusSnNov 14, 2016

Great atmosphere, nice actor playing but script is totally screwed. All characters looks like decoration for one main character and at some dramatic moment people just start laughing.

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

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0

The918Nov 11, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was really looking forward to this movie for a long while. Unfortunately I left the theater with much disappointment. The movie had me going for about 1/2 way or little more, then I started figuring out some things, and really didn't care for how they ended the movie.... weak. The movie could have went so many different ways and could and should have been awesome. As it was... turned out to be a slow, anticlimactic, prophetic love story of sorts, that ends up saving the world with a phone call.… Expand

8 of 24 users found this helpful816

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HotpocketAug 8, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie brought me to tears. And not in a good way. Theres a scene where the girl knows she's going to have a child and she can see the future that the child is going to die from cancer. Fully knowing this she continues with the path laid out in the visions to have the child and watch her die all over again. This could not have been more bull----. Anyone who has lost their child from cancer or whatever, could never live that over again. NEVER. And you have the audacity to tell me that she's going to do it even tho she knows whats coming. Don't even feed me that bull---- story. Completely unbelievable and unrealistic story arc at that point. Who ever wrote this should be fired.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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3

egoBorderApr 14, 2019

I give this movie some credit for holding my attention for most of the running time. Unfortunately by the end it completely falls apart. Worse still, it makes many of the supporting characters dumb just to pretend the main characters areI give this movie some credit for holding my attention for most of the running time. Unfortunately by the end it completely falls apart. Worse still, it makes many of the supporting characters dumb just to pretend the main characters are intelligent. I guess worth a rental but ultimately unsatisfying.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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1

DreadLordAvatarNov 26, 2016

Captivating buildup but the ending is totally disappointing. Horrible, wasted opportunity to entertain - it is a fake sci-fi film packaged as a ridiculous love story. Avoid wasting time and money on seeing it in the theater like I did, it isCaptivating buildup but the ending is totally disappointing. Horrible, wasted opportunity to entertain - it is a fake sci-fi film packaged as a ridiculous love story. Avoid wasting time and money on seeing it in the theater like I did, it is worthy perhaps only as a viewing on Netflix. I feel totally scammed by the professional critic reviews, I really really want a refund and my time back, extremely disappointed. :(… Expand

6 of 19 users found this helpful613

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3

LloyddaisyDec 10, 2016

Very disappointing film. I found that it was boring with no suspense. I didn't care about characters or the aliens. It was not believable that Amy could not recognize that the symbol that the aliens were using was the same as symbol on theVery disappointing film. I found that it was boring with no suspense. I didn't care about characters or the aliens. It was not believable that Amy could not recognize that the symbol that the aliens were using was the same as symbol on the book she had written.… Expand

4 of 13 users found this helpful49

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3

roscoeswaffleNov 13, 2016

Blather.
Mumbo-jumbo.
If you understand these two simple terms in English (as opposed to heptapod), there is no reason to see this movie--I've just summed it up for you. Huge disappointment. Love the director, cut my teeth on sci fi. Still,Blather.
Mumbo-jumbo.
If you understand these two simple terms in English (as opposed to heptapod), there is no reason to see this movie--I've just summed it up for you.
Huge disappointment. Love the director, cut my teeth on sci fi. Still, I'd have been better off staying home and bingeing on The Crown.… Expand

10 of 34 users found this helpful1024

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3

EludiumQ36Apr 30, 2017

Do you remember why you loved the Matrix trilogy then hated it? It's because it was a love story masking as a kick-ass sci-fi story. Similar thing here, "Arrival" is a love story masking as an alien contact story. I want to rate it a "1"Do you remember why you loved the Matrix trilogy then hated it? It's because it was a love story masking as a kick-ass sci-fi story. Similar thing here, "Arrival" is a love story masking as an alien contact story. I want to rate it a "1" because of its deceit, implausible plot points, and feel-yourself-age pacing but it gets a "3" because of its production values and A-list cast. It also messes with the flow of time, not time travel, but its sequencing. While that's laudable, it can be very confusing and inevitably leaves you feeling "had" or conned story-wise. It's a pretty mess resulting in a waste of 2hrs of your time.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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2

NikolayGFeb 25, 2017

Grossly overrated movie. The plot is nearly non-existent, and what there is makes little sense. Huge questions, such as - Why have the aliens come? - are answered in about 6 words. The screenplay isn't a screenplay; it is a rough sketch, oneGrossly overrated movie. The plot is nearly non-existent, and what there is makes little sense. Huge questions, such as - Why have the aliens come? - are answered in about 6 words. The screenplay isn't a screenplay; it is a rough sketch, one that leaves many story elements undeveloped. Honestly, I don't know what they needed two hours for if this is all they had to deliver. I could, if I wanted (I won't) "spoil" this movie for you in about two sentences, as that's all there is in terms of content. The rest of it is spent on dull shots of the giant floating rock of an alien ship, and repetitive scenes of our cast learning to communicate with the octopus-like aliens. Add two hours to your life and do not see this movie.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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3

gameplayer85Jan 15, 2017

I was excited too watch the movie after all the hype i heard about it. Now i regret ever watching it. A whole lot of nothing going on in the movie. First 70 minutes and absolutely nothing happens! I'm a fan of the main cast but this movie wasI was excited too watch the movie after all the hype i heard about it. Now i regret ever watching it. A whole lot of nothing going on in the movie. First 70 minutes and absolutely nothing happens! I'm a fan of the main cast but this movie was absolutely dreadful. I kept watching something exciting or something that would make me think would arrive. But nope. You can only watch silent octopus aliens for so long. Use 2hr of your life more wisely and watch something else. If you have a taste for some sci-fi go watch the classics.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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0

CameraBounceGodNov 20, 2016

the thought of amy adams having magical dreams ............................................................................................i might not even see this

5 of 18 users found this helpful513

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AutisticNov 13, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "I've almost forgotten how it feels like to hug you"

Arrival probably the Oscar winner! I think so.I want to start from the beginning of the film.It starts not with flashback or with present time,it starts with flashforward,but on that moment I thought that its flashback...

So,the film beginning is about Amy Adams daughter and its about how she died..Amy Adams life changes when colonel Weber comes for her help.
All film main heroes trying to translate,but if you think that its true-you are the fool,because all film-show about Amy Adams character fight with herself and her minds.

And I want to give you an advice,if you are reading this and wavering between the desire to go and to wait for the release on disc,i suggest you to do both things.Even for me the end twist and the ending in general is very incomprehensible,because of that twists with time.

But with that twists film becomes better.

I think its 10/10 and its future Oscar winner… Expand

5 of 18 users found this helpful513

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3

EdeltraudDec 7, 2016

Meh. No doubt adapting this material to the screen was challenging but the director's self-love really sucked the juice outta this. The too visually dark settings & blah blocking of action made it less than a pleasure to watch.This could haveMeh. No doubt adapting this material to the screen was challenging but the director's self-love really sucked the juice outta this. The too visually dark settings & blah blocking of action made it less than a pleasure to watch.This could have been a sweeping, magical visual treat but it just seemed to lack imagination. The score was often trite & overwhelming & the schmaltzy ending seemed to go on forever. Interesting story, but it could have been told with more humor, energy, tension, etc.… Expand

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

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0

YomismoKSDec 1, 2016

Es la pelicula mas estupida que le vi en la vida. La BSO mala. Una historia inconexsa. Quiere ser interestelar pero se queda muy corta en calidad.....

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

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0

yashdanMar 5, 2017

I don't understand how this movie got such good reviews!!!
This movie is incredibly stupid and boring!
Not worth watching even if you have time to spare!
Acting - 8
Plot/story - 0
Suspense - 2
Action - 0

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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0

nellic07Jan 17, 2017

This is not movie about aliens. Aliens are just framework for drama story about woman and her sick future kid.Aliens are extras,there is no suspension in the movie, there is no pace, the end is rushed and without any meaning. Chinese andThis is not movie about aliens. Aliens are just framework for drama story about woman and her sick future kid.Aliens are extras,there is no suspension in the movie, there is no pace, the end is rushed and without any meaning. Chinese and Russians are showed as stupid and those who want war and Americans are showed like smart people.This is movie for pseudo intellectuals.This movie is boring as hell.Don't waste your money for this "look at me, I am 'smart' movie. 0/10… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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3

Christopher715Feb 16, 2017

I really had high hopes for this movie. While Amy Adams "acted her heart out", this somehow missed the mark. Being a HUGE science fiction/space sf, this was slow and just didn't do much for me. Great concept and not directive, I justI really had high hopes for this movie. While Amy Adams "acted her heart out", this somehow missed the mark. Being a HUGE science fiction/space sf, this was slow and just didn't do much for me. Great concept and not directive, I just didn't find it interesting in the least. Perhaps this had appeal for some, but just didn't do it for this particular viewer.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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1

ALexA182Feb 19, 2017

How on earth are people giving this boring mess of a movie such high scores? I guess it just tells you have bad the average movie is today. This is a convoluted, boring, poorly acted contrived mess that has neither originality or a realHow on earth are people giving this boring mess of a movie such high scores? I guess it just tells you have bad the average movie is today. This is a convoluted, boring, poorly acted contrived mess that has neither originality or a real story line. Thankfully I saw this on a DVD so I could fast-forward through the plodding mindless scenes.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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2

yvriMar 21, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Extremely slow paced and boring. Could see the ending came a mile away. Everything about the human experience is extremely unlikely when it tries to portray the real world response to first contact.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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2

RBdave274luvApr 10, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have watched Arrival four times to find any redeeming qualities to it. I felt the acting was fine but over rated since the movie was so low key and not particularly entertaining. My first problem with it was the way they portrayed the aliens. It is the same old thing, make them look like monsters who have no hands ect., making it totally unbelievable they could build anything to travel anywhere. The movie is more about time than anything else. It is unlike any other movie I have seen so saying there were cliches I found to be inane and won't use that. The soundtrack droned and was very distracting sometimes eclipsing what the actors were saying. The language shown would have been impossible for a linguist to figure out in such a short time. A friend compared it to a Tibetan circle language yet upon investigation, the linguist that created it said nothing about it being anything more than made up. It's a love story in a way but done in a very boring way. I didn't find the movie interesting or thought provoking because the subject matter within it...time isn't linear is old news. Amy Adams did a good job with what she was given but it wasn't much. The movie simply is not entertaining and leaves one with unanswered questions. Unless one is very cerebral this will not be able to hold the attention of most viewers for long. I was very disappointed and have watched hundreds of science fiction movies. I have also read a number of reviews around the net and no one person got the same thing out of this film. Good luck to anyone who tries to sit down and make heads or tails of it without extrapolating on it like most critics have done.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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0

BitashMar 21, 2017

I just watched the movie and frantically looked for my iPad leaving my comfy bed to leave a review, why? To save others from watching this horrific movie and save people . I want my money back. I want the two hours of my life back. We watchedI just watched the movie and frantically looked for my iPad leaving my comfy bed to leave a review, why? To save others from watching this horrific movie and save people . I want my money back. I want the two hours of my life back. We watched the movie since it had good review on metacritic.....now I think reviews here are fake. No one in their right mind would write a positive review for this cheesy none sense and boring movie. I won't ever reply on metacritics again . Reviews could be paid for, this movie was horrific and on,y one person to blame, the DIRECTOR for even thinking the writing is good enough to put these poor actors through it. Such a waste of time. I've hyped for no reason!!!… Expand

3 of 13 users found this helpful310

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0

abcd123Dec 5, 2016

As other have commented, Villeneuve is a good director but this is a step in the wrong direction for him. I hate to use the B word {boring}, but Arrival is a real endurance test even for fans of serious, thought provokingAs other have commented, Villeneuve is a good director but this is a step in the wrong direction for him. I hate to use the B word {boring}, but Arrival is a real endurance test even for fans of serious, thought provoking movies.qweqwedwqeqweqweqweasdasdasd… Expand

5 of 22 users found this helpful517

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3

psyberdelicFeb 14, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Slow and nonsensical. Learning the aliens language allows you to see the future? Time travel in your day-dreams? Everybody's stupid but the heroine? Subtitles for the alien's language? Close Encounters did a vastly superior job of imagining first contact. I fast-forwarded through most of it just to see if the positive reviews made any sense. Nope.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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3

SerengetiFeb 4, 2017

I was really disappointed in this movie. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. The premise was totally fabulous, but I don't think the story lived up to the promise the original idea promised. The biggest disappointment of all was theI was really disappointed in this movie. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. The premise was totally fabulous, but I don't think the story lived up to the promise the original idea promised. The biggest disappointment of all was the appearance of the alien life forms. I thought it was just completely stupid to make them look the way they did. For me, this movie was a total bust.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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2

BroyaxAug 13, 2017

Alors, lapin compris ? je fais comme dans le film, je parle un double langage qui tente de noyer le poisson sous des allures intello-pédantes bien prétentieuses et quelques relents de naïveté bien naïfs ; je secoue le tout au shaker et jeAlors, lapin compris ? je fais comme dans le film, je parle un double langage qui tente de noyer le poisson sous des allures intello-pédantes bien prétentieuses et quelques relents de naïveté bien naïfs ; je secoue le tout au shaker et je balance à l'écran très lentement sous couvert de poésie moralisatrice.

Alors, Amy et Jeremy sont très bien, là n'est pas la question et les effets spéciaux sont judicieusement exploités ; par ailleurs la musique planante qui vous plonge dans une sorte de transe hypnagogique est très relaxante (je crois en fait que le film entier a transformé le peu de matière grise qui me restait en gelée). Mais tout de même, ces extra-terrestres qui ont l'air si avancé sont en vérité tellement cons qu'il faut tout reprendre à partir du cours préparatoire : "té-lé-phone... mai-son..." et bien sûr, ils sont un peu neuneus et durs de la feuille, voire carrément gagas : gentil extra-terrestre, gentil, gentil... ah mais attention aux méchants humains roooo... Denis Villeneuve nous déroule donc sa petite fable écolo béate à deux balles sous Lexomil pendant deux plombes mais nous, on veut sortir de cette mélasse !!

PS
Lapin compris ou pas ??… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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3

OsmarCamposFeb 12, 2017

The movie is just a non sense trailer with non sense flashbacks, it's an argue who starts good and finish with a non sense... thing, the director just make and experiment with a wrong trama

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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3

Bo33yJan 26, 2017

I don't know about that future, intuition becomes squid worth, they traveled in giant bananas, communicating in bubbles and spraying ink.. Square Pants. A snooze fest that had some Syfi connecting that language, but the rest of it wasI don't know about that future, intuition becomes squid worth, they traveled in giant bananas, communicating in bubbles and spraying ink.. Square Pants. A snooze fest that had some Syfi connecting that language, but the rest of it was propaganda. A pat on the back for World Pieces or Peace, in the attempted language of the octopods. No purrs there.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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2

sicknutzFeb 4, 2017

Looks like most people are judging this movie without having read the short story upon which it's based. There was a lot of rework of the plot to make it a movie, and in doing so the beauty and best parts of the story were discarded. AllLooks like most people are judging this movie without having read the short story upon which it's based. There was a lot of rework of the plot to make it a movie, and in doing so the beauty and best parts of the story were discarded. All that's left is a sappy mess which causes the first contact part of the plot to feel awkward and out of place.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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0

cyndieJan 17, 2017

My wife and I went to see this on a date night last Saturday, and was wowed by the opening scene, the wild and fun dance number on the overpass. Wonderful!

3 of 19 users found this helpful316

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0

patrickblakelyNov 12, 2016

It's all too rare these days that studios partner with adept filmmakers with clear visions. Denis Villeneuve is one of those upper-tier directors whose previous works have ranged in genre and style, yet authenticity is central to theirIt's all too rare these days that studios partner with adept filmmakers with clear visions. Denis Villeneuve is one of those upper-tier directors whose previous works have ranged in genre and style, yet authenticity is central to their premises. This is his best film yet and comes at a time when, perhaps, we need it the most. My favorite film of 2016.… Expand

5 of 36 users found this helpful531

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0

JavierChileNov 12, 2016

I really enjoyed this movie. I would recommend it a lot. It has a slow and building argument that finishes in a metaphysic meditation. All mixed in a context of international tensions and near-war situations. Just excellent!

Even if it'sI really enjoyed this movie. I would recommend it a lot. It has a slow and building argument that finishes in a metaphysic meditation. All mixed in a context of international tensions and near-war situations. Just excellent!

Even if it's different from Interstellar, it gave me the same sensations as a viewer. It isn't as slow as that movie though, but it's still not suited for every spectator. I heard some unhappy people after the movie talking it was boring. You must know if you are the kind of viewer willing to sit, relax and think a little with a movie.… Expand

4 of 29 users found this helpful425

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0

zozimofernandesDec 11, 2016

It's not sci-fi, it transcends any genre. It's the kind of movie you're hooked from the very beginning and you miss it from the moment you leave the room

2 of 16 users found this helpful214

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0

maugeishDec 24, 2017

This movie was absolutely disappointing! There are almost no aliens and it''s just about talking problems...it''s a drama movie no scifi movie. No explanations or scientific facts, no suspense or thrilling storyline. Compared to other "new"This movie was absolutely disappointing! There are almost no aliens and it''s just about talking problems...it''s a drama movie no scifi movie. No explanations or scientific facts, no suspense or thrilling storyline. Compared to other "new" scifi movies like moon, elysium, life etc. it''s a huge disappointment with no story. Totaly overhyped for "talking about life" - perhaps a movie for students' club.… Expand

1 of 19 users found this helpful118

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2

KattsyltJan 16, 2023

A film that instantly tries to force emotions upon you with dreary violins, showing a mother with her dying child. Two characters i have no link to since the movie just started. Sure its still sad but yea, it just becomes forced. The movieA film that instantly tries to force emotions upon you with dreary violins, showing a mother with her dying child. Two characters i have no link to since the movie just started. Sure its still sad but yea, it just becomes forced. The movie builds up tension and excitement well, similarly like the movie Contact with trying to decipher what the aliens want. You become invested in it and really want to know what it's about but it falls short on the delivery.

Spoiler ahead.

The movie delivers nothing. It's completely pointless.
It tries to tell us that humanity need to work together and communicate. Well ok, thanks i guess. And some mumbo jumbo about love and children. All delivered with pretentious flashbacks and more dreary violins to force emotions upon you. All the setup is great. But in the end it doesnt deliver anything at all. It's a completely pointless movie. Watch Contact instead, it's basically the same movie but good.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

JohnBrianKJul 26, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My review talks about the movie so I guess it is a spolier: I have never felt the need to review a movie before. Some I really liked, some I disliked. I am a movie person. I love them. Haven watched thousands of movies in my life. I was super excited to see this movie, but had to wait until it came to video. The premise of the movie is that Aliens come to earth to share their language because somehow that gives you the ability to see into the future....sorry they lost me right there. Soo many plot holes. What do the ships do when they get someone to learn their language? Of that's right they simply fade away. That is really it. I know their is a theory out there about being able to see the future or something and while I am a huge fan of theories revolving around what the human brain can accomplish the idea that learning a language allows time travel is a little too big of a stretch IMO. The entire political angle is also over acted and comical really. I have never seen a movie that got such praise be one that I found so incomplete..almost comical in the holes the writer left. I can only shake my head. First review on this site and most likely the last unless some other extremely mediocre movie gets immense praise. And just for the record the parts with Amy Adams and her child in the movie are extremely heartfelt. Having 3 kids of my own those scenes did tug on my heart strings, but it did nothing to help the score of the movie from my perspective.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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0

NickTheCritickApr 6, 2022

This film is chock full of clichés, false do-gooders and, as if that weren't enough, it almost seems to send anti-abortion messages (especially in the finale).

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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