Arrival

10

marcmyworksDec 14, 2016

Its rare that I give a film a 10 review; saying this I found no faults whatsoever in Arrival. Amy Adams beautifully plays Dr. Louise Banks, a linguistics professor who is tasked in communicating with an American landed alien space craft. ThisIts rare that I give a film a 10 review; saying this I found no faults whatsoever in Arrival. Amy Adams beautifully plays Dr. Louise Banks, a linguistics professor who is tasked in communicating with an American landed alien space craft. This film is beautifully directed, scored and acted and is brought to life by its original and compelling script.… Expand

5 of 15 users found this helpful510

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9

PeterAlexanderDec 13, 2016

Arrival is intelligent, dramatic, scary and heartfelt from beginning to end. The main character's quest to understand the mystery behind the alien's purpose is extremely engaging. With each twist and turn the film kept me begging to know more.

14 of 27 users found this helpful1413

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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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8

RobBob99Dec 11, 2016

Arrival is one of the rare movies of today that challenges the audience about what's happening and that's what I liked most about it. Smart, complex and meticulously crafted, Amy Adams strong and vulnerable performance lead Arrival to be oneArrival is one of the rare movies of today that challenges the audience about what's happening and that's what I liked most about it. Smart, complex and meticulously crafted, Amy Adams strong and vulnerable performance lead Arrival to be one of the best movies of the year.… Expand

4 of 13 users found this helpful49

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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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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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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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10

busbfranDec 9, 2016

The Arrival is one of the best Alien SI-FI movies to date; with excellent performances, amazing cinematography & smart plot line. Someone give Amy Adams an award! The arrival is a must watch of 2016.

6 of 15 users found this helpful69

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6

ozymandias79Dec 5, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This could have been a great movie but the plot holes were large enough to drive a truck through and the premise is a bit hard to swallow. So there's a written language that induces clairvoyance. Sounds stupid when saying it out loud , right. So if the whole point was to teach us this written language, why didn't they start with that? Why was it Amy Adams who starts trying to communicate through writing? If they can see the future, why do they let one of themselves die? Forgetting the phone call to the Chinese general, a major plot point? Also, the twist is a bit predicable, not horribly, but you can guess it before the reveal. Poor execution has really detracted from this movie. If you're going to make a film, do it properly!… Expand

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

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8

TrevorsViewDec 9, 2016

Immediately we are grabbed from our seats into the journey of Dr. Louise Banks and her discovery of what it means to be bound by time. Played vulnerably by five-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams (American Hustle, Doubt), Dr. Banks is weighed downImmediately we are grabbed from our seats into the journey of Dr. Louise Banks and her discovery of what it means to be bound by time. Played vulnerably by five-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams (American Hustle, Doubt), Dr. Banks is weighed down in life by the loss of her daughter to cancer. While a sixth nomination for Adams is unlikely for this role, Arrival still gives a richly tense and starkly imaginative allegory to the coming end times, as paralleled by the inner demons of past trauma.

In her present state, she is a college professor of English. At one of her teaching sessions, the lecture hall is suspiciously low on students. There are alerts on their mobile devices about unidentified objects landing across the globe, each one shaped like a large perpendicular shell. This causes for mass evacuation away from these objects, with only authorized authorities supervising and investigating what they are and where they come from. At this point, it feels like a rip-off of classic alien invasion thrillers including Close Encounters of the Third Kind and The Day the Earth Stood Still. While it certainly obeys the tropes for the most part, creative liberties are still taken to ensure an exhilarating experience.

Why did they land in these specific spots? That’s the question the American government is trying to answer as they conduct an organized approach to interacting to whatever thrives inside these things. Their solution in interacting with this unknown is to bring in Dr. Banks to apply her English knowledge, a highly discomforting task for her, as well as the audience. The unpredictability and danger that she is thrown into hits you right where you feel, especially when it comes time to approach the inside of this vessel.

Director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario) proves yet again how much skill he has in disorienting you without having to manipulate the screen with IMAX magic, as his choices of framing gives an overwhelming feel of scale in comparison to this unidentified object. The color palette used by cinematographer Bradford Young (A Most Violent Year) gives a stark feel of loneliness in a world separated by language barriers. The stressful sound effects complement the sad melodic music scored by Jóhann Jóhannsson (Sicario, The Theory of Everything).

Inside of the object, the gravity is perpendicular to our own; then at the end of the object, these eerie, faceless, squid-like lifeforms behind a white veil await the approach of human investigators. Dr. Banks leads the interaction with these beings, later named “Heptapods,” who communicate through painting abstract black rings that make up their language. So she, as a college professor, applies her history in English to vigorously study their language, which they call “nonlinear orthography.” The process in figuring out their form of communication is absolutely brilliant and inspirational in how it’s created and discovered.

As real as this small-scale epic feels, its treatment towards the other countries is still rather problematic. Essentially, they are treated like outsiders from America whose first resort is to rage war against the unknown, unlike those in the richest country in the world who rely on communication past language barriers to solve problems. Based on what I’ve seen in the news recently, this is not how things have played out.

There’s also an issue I have with the portrayal of Dr. Banks’ daughter, who is absent for a large portion of the film as if she’s not really that important to the story. If she were mentioned more consistently through the first and second acts, she would have strengthened the conflict between the key characters.

Yet the reminder of our relation with family issues and the passage of time may just as well be the push forward that we need to communicate with one another despite the inconvenience of language differences across barriers. It is through interaction and compromise that we will arrive at where we intend to go.… Expand

5 of 18 users found this helpful513

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7

KaptenVideoDec 9, 2016

It’s the end of the world as we know it! A much discussed and sometimes feared story has come true which, honestly, always sounded a bit ridiculous to actually happen in the real world.

I am, of course, talking about this new sci-fi dramaIt’s the end of the world as we know it! A much discussed and sometimes feared story has come true which, honestly, always sounded a bit ridiculous to actually happen in the real world.

I am, of course, talking about this new sci-fi drama „Arrival“ where mankind is greeted by huge alien spaceships in the sky who seem to be coming in peace… wait, did you think I was referring to Trump becoming the next leader of the free world?

But yeah, these two events have a very similar plot summary so it’s only fitting that I had the chance to experience them in the very same morning.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve – the man behind „Prisoners“, mindbending „Enemy“ with Jake Gyllenhaal, „Sicario“ and currently filming „Blade Runner“ sequel –, one could expect „Arrival“ to be a thinking person’s sci-fi. And one is not wrong.

It is a 116 minute slow-burner all heavy on atmosphere and light on explosions or any quick thrills. If you wish a quick reference to any recent well-known movies, the result is a bit like Christopher Nolan’s „Interstellar“ crossed with Terrence Malick’s „The Tree of Life“. Robert Zemeckis’s „Contact“ (1997) would not be very far either, because „Arrival“ also focuses on fragile yet brave female protagonist whose quality acting is one of the main pillars carrying the whole experience. The other one would be overall atmosphere, deliciously dark and ominous. Some will like it, others will probably find it depressing and maybe a bit slow for their taste.

I haven’t read the award-winning short story by Ted Chiang that „Arrival“ is based on. Wikipedia says that the major themes explored are determinism, language and Sapir-Whorf hypothesis which sounds mighty dry and mostly sci-fi geek friendly. So it’s nice to witness movie makers adding some mainstream appeal which comes mostly in the form of Amy Adams’s great performance. She truly holds the movie together as a woman going where no-one has ever gone before. You will believe her hesitations, the tears, and also the silent determination when the going gets tough. This kind of role is tricky because of the need to play it out mostly alone, often in close-up where every detail and tone has to be clearly seen and felt. Think Matthew McConaughey's mighty turn in „Interstellar“ but decidedly less showoffish.

So it’s mostly Adams’s one-woman-show, and a quite rare chance to see her doing something memorable and worthwhile on screen. She accepts too many decorative pretty girl roles, even in more ambitious projects. The all-male supporting cast is good too, especially star players such as Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker. As stated above, I don’t know the original story but "Arrival's" message is rather spiritual and not "dry" at all. Essentially it is a reminder that mankind’s future depends heavily on our ability to understand and connect to the world, rather than attacking and overpowering everything we find foreign or downright alien. It’s a call to rise above the inflexible ego-based mind the western society so dearly values, and to find balance with our intuitive side.

Overall, „Arrival“ is a good movie although I wasn’t especially happy with the final act which seemed rushed. It felt like somebody grew impatient near the end and wanted to add something „impressive“ just in case the people were not happy with this slow-moving tale. I do not want to talk about it here in detail but, for me, it lessened some of the movie’s overall impact. Mostly because there was not enough time to play it out as properly as the stuff that had come before.

But yeah, if you are into more intelligent sci-fi and don’t prioritize explosions, „Arrival“ is good to go.… Expand

6 of 12 users found this helpful66

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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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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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6

Redrog1Dec 8, 2016

Sorry but I must have missed something here.... an alien culture that has the intelligence to travel millions of light years to our planet and they rely on us for translation and to communicate?

5 of 13 users found this helpful58

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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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10

SBassett88Dec 6, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the most beautiful movies made to date that effectively tells its story on time, humanity and the meaning of life. It can change a viewpoint and make you realise that each moment is worth living.… Expand

4 of 13 users found this helpful49

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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

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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8

tethysdustDec 4, 2016

I enjoyed the idea of the film, though the plot moved at rather a slow pace. The alien's language was interesting, and the human side of the story had a nice emotional payoff.

4 of 13 users found this helpful49

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9

TLHGDec 4, 2016

Powerful! This movie is really powerful. I can understand some people might not like it because, for most part of the film, you have no idea of why some things are happening or being shown to the audience, but neither do the characters in thePowerful! This movie is really powerful. I can understand some people might not like it because, for most part of the film, you have no idea of why some things are happening or being shown to the audience, but neither do the characters in the movie, it is like we are trying to solve the big puzzle about what the aliens are doing on Earth together. If you are like me, that is very engaging. I felt so immersed in the events of the movie that I did not see time passing. Then you finally starts to figure and it is awesome! Everything fits together very well! And of course, for the slow ones, they literally draw what is the answer of it all at some point... I loved it, and I must say that, because of the reviews and the trailer, I had tremendous expectations, and still I was not prepared for it this feature offers. Now, to be fair, there are a few things (nothing important for the story, just minor details) that kinda turn you off, such as lines by the scientists/academics that just reveal that those characters were written by people who don't really know how academics really are... However, these are just minor pieces that I could totally forgive at the end because it was so good! RECOMMENDATION FOR THE VIEWERS: don't look to much into what the movie is about, and avoid spoilers. I would not say that the twist is that surprising and mind blowing like the 6th Sense, but the experience of watching it as a blank page is very nice. Piece!… Expand

3 of 14 users found this helpful311

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6

Douglas56Dec 2, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Much has been said of Amy Adams's acting in this film. The praise is richly deserved but that's where the accolades should end. Great acting rarely makes great films and this movie is not great, despite my sincerest desire for it to be so. Greatness in theatre or cinema usually requires great characters (or less often, a highly original storyline). Arrival has neither and Adams's character, the linguist Louise Banks, who dominates the screen time, is little more than a sketch for a oil painting Villeneuve and his writers are unable to complete. The film has been hyped by the critics as a serious, intellectual alien encounter sci-fi that outshines all the comic book treatments of this trope. It's certainly serious but rather brainless at the same time. The science is minimal ("hey, I've discovered that 0.0833 recurring is 1 divided by 12") and the linguistics a mere ornament. But worse than that, it's a little boring. The social commentary is unremarkable, the philosophical content hackneyed ("hey I've discovered that love conquers all") and the ending a hasty conclusion to a fabricated tease. That's two disappointing films in a row for Villeneuve—hardly a good omen for the Blade Runner sequel.… Expand

5 of 17 users found this helpful512

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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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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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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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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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7

shiftworkerNov 30, 2016

Sci-fi. Linguist specialist gains prominence when aliens visit the earth. Effective special effects and decent acting do not save this ponderous, over-rated sleep-inducement. Not one to watch again, and only worth seeing once so you can haveSci-fi. Linguist specialist gains prominence when aliens visit the earth. Effective special effects and decent acting do not save this ponderous, over-rated sleep-inducement. Not one to watch again, and only worth seeing once so you can have an opinion on it.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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10

NShep53Nov 29, 2016

Another Win for Denis Villeneuve. If you are complaining that this movie is too slow, then you have to get a life. Not every movie needs action to keep you entertained. This movie is smart and moving. Amy Adams kills it.

5 of 18 users found this helpful513

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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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9

madmoviemanNov 29, 2016

This is a very special film. A hugely unique take on first contact, Arrival is one of the most intense and cerebral experiences you’ve ever had at the movies, requiring full concentration, an open mind, and patience for a slow-moving, butThis is a very special film. A hugely unique take on first contact, Arrival is one of the most intense and cerebral experiences you’ve ever had at the movies, requiring full concentration, an open mind, and patience for a slow-moving, but utterly enthralling story. Featuring exceptional performances, astonishing directing from Denis Villeneuve, a near-perfect screenplay, and a mesmerising score, this is a truly exhilarating film to watch, and one that will leave you thinking and pondering long after the credits have rolled.

First off then, suppose the most important thing to say about this film is that you have to have your brain turned on. This is not even in the same league as the likes of Independence Day or even Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, but is instead a dark, heavy-going drama that only uses a science-fiction setting to tell a gripping and emotionally powerful story about humanity.

Much like all of Denis Villeneuve’s films, Arrival is at times a soul-destroying experience, portraying some utterly devastating forecasts of how people around the world would deal with first contact, but that’s one of the reasons that it’s such an arresting watch.

Villeneuve himself does an exceptional job at directing this film. It’s the first massive-scale project we’ve seen from him, but his astonishing ability to create a stunningly eerie and tense atmosphere at every single moment in this film, whether it be in the unnerving sweeping shots of the alien spacecraft, or the smaller, more claustrophobic moments centring on the human characters’ efforts to deal with them, is testament to what a talent he is.

And that tense eeriness carries over brilliantly into every other part of the film. For me, one of the most memorable elements of Arrival was the score by Jóhann Jóhannsson. Staying effectively silent for so much of the film, Jóhannsson takes an incredibly unique and experimental approach to the music of the film, often making it appear as if it is sound coming from the real world.

At times, the aliens’ cries and speech become pieces of musical score, adding significantly to the sense of danger and tension, which was stunning to see. At others, however, he uses some powerful instrumental tunes to heighten the drama of the characters’ emotions, and although this is a film in which you can hear the score, it plays such a significant role in shaping your experience that it’s a huge positive.

Along with the music, the performances are another key element that make this film so stunningly intense. At the centre of it all is Amy Adams, who is astonishing from start to finish. Dealing with a very complex character and story, she brilliantly powers through and portrays a huge range of emotions, from her character’s crushing depression early on in the film, to her determination and strength whilst attempting to communicate with the alien beings. It’s not the normal Amy Adams we know and love so much, but a far more battle-hardened and intense performance, but that deviation from her more typical roles is spectacular to watch, making this easily one of her best ever performances.

And finally, we come to the screenplay. Based on a short story, the writing here is an exceptional display of ingenuity and intelligence. The heavy-going and slow-paced nature of the movie becomes a virtue because of the writing, giving you as a viewer the time to think about everything that is going on and understand it deeper, whilst also taking on some incredibly complex ideas and themes and making them work almost perfectly in the context of a science-fiction film.

In the end, however, this film isn’t so much about the aliens as it is about its human characters. The story is very difficult to talk about without spoilers, however I can say that the way the film’s narrative unfolds throughout is genuinely one of the most unique and brilliant things I’ve ever seen, and it makes for an astonishingly powerful development of emotions towards the finale. It does require an open mind, but with that comes a truly incredible and thought-provoking story.

Overall, I was blown away by Arrival. A masterpiece of directing, scoring, acting and writing, it’s a truly exhilarating watch that will take you on a devastating rollercoaster of emotions, but with an ingenious and utterly enthralling story that you will not forget in a long time.… Expand

3 of 14 users found this helpful311

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8

StevieGJDNov 28, 2016

This is not an action movie. It is also not a movie for those who want to have the plot and the main points spoon fed to them. Amy Adams delivers another great performance. Jeremy Renner is fine, but his character is really a fairlyThis is not an action movie. It is also not a movie for those who want to have the plot and the main points spoon fed to them. Amy Adams delivers another great performance. Jeremy Renner is fine, but his character is really a fairly thankless supporting role. The movie is likely over the heads of most people, as, at its core it is really a reinterpretation of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, which is a largely discredited linguistics theory. If you know this going in (and I seriously doubt the majority of people do), it takes the main critique of that theory and makes it inapplicable as it is not being used to explain differences in human cognition based on language, but whether differences in alien and human cognition are based, in part, on language. The other deeper issue explored is time. Humans' existence is special and temporal. For us, reality exists in linear time and we relate to the rest of the world in terms of three dimensional space. What if there was an alien species for which time and space are not perceived the way we perceive them? Again, these ideas are not simple and the movie does not successfully answer them. But the fact that it even brings them up is more intellectually stimulating than most films I've ever seen. Not that all movies need to be that intellectual. I like other movies for other reasons. But this is a smart movie that challenges viewers. Again, it is not for everyone. But I really liked it.… Expand

4 of 15 users found this helpful411

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9

MalifixNov 28, 2016

This was surprise at how good it was. I entered the movie thinking "how could they make another alien encounter film and make it good?". But they did! It had a fresh approach, keeping within the behaviors you would expect from military andThis was surprise at how good it was. I entered the movie thinking "how could they make another alien encounter film and make it good?". But they did! It had a fresh approach, keeping within the behaviors you would expect from military and professionals, and then threw in great plot twists that reminded me of Nolan's Interstellar.… Expand

4 of 18 users found this helpful414

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6

BikerjamesNov 28, 2016

I don't mind that the film is slow. 2001 is a slow movie and I love every frame of it. This movie is boring at times. I looked at my watch a couple of times. I don't believe we could decipher the complex symbols as quickly as they did,I don't mind that the film is slow. 2001 is a slow movie and I love every frame of it. This movie is boring at times. I looked at my watch a couple of times. I don't believe we could decipher the complex symbols as quickly as they did, and I always have to wonder why super intelligent beings have a hard time learning our language(s). I also felt ZERO chemistry between the two leads. I also thought about the movie "Contact" several times as there is too many similarities. On the positive side, the visuals are striking at times, and Amy Adams is wonderful, as she is in every film she is in.… Expand

6 of 14 users found this helpful68

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8

alejandro970Nov 27, 2016

Villenueve makes his own, ingenious version of a close encounter sci- fi adventure. The SFX does not hamper the story, supported by worth roles and a schivering score.

3 of 16 users found this helpful313

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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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6

patrickk1Nov 26, 2016

Sorry, movies rated 81 are supposed to rock the house. They mailed it in for the last 30 minutes. Stay home, save your money, and watch it on your flat screen.

9 of 21 users found this helpful912

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6

AxeTNov 26, 2016

On the one hand, yet another damn flick about aliens coming down! On the other, one that is fairly restrained, intelligent and serious with an original thought provoking premise. The slow unraveling mystery is good. The conventions of theOn the one hand, yet another damn flick about aliens coming down! On the other, one that is fairly restrained, intelligent and serious with an original thought provoking premise. The slow unraveling mystery is good. The conventions of the sub-genre that still aren't transcended here are not, nor is some of the sentimentality. Alas it is not that bold after all.

Would a real scientist constantly dealing in mathematics and numbers upon reading .083 say, "point oh eight three" and not "point zero eight three"? If he is played by a sloppy actor taking sloppy direction perhaps. Or such a real scientist saying oh instead of zero might just need to be fired and lose grants.… Expand

5 of 15 users found this helpful510

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9

hharvey102Nov 26, 2016

Just a beautiful film from start to finish. Can't understand how anyone found it slow - I was riveted from start to finish, but then again I loved Tree of Life which Arrival reminded me of to some extent as well as Close Encounters, Contact,Just a beautiful film from start to finish. Can't understand how anyone found it slow - I was riveted from start to finish, but then again I loved Tree of Life which Arrival reminded me of to some extent as well as Close Encounters, Contact, and The Day the Earth Stood Still (original).… Expand

3 of 16 users found this helpful313

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10

Compi24Nov 25, 2016

Breathtaking, majestic, and yet still somehow grounded and real, "Arrival" is an absolute monument of a film dedicated to the power of hard science-fiction storytelling and the human spirit as we understand it. High marks definitely go toBreathtaking, majestic, and yet still somehow grounded and real, "Arrival" is an absolute monument of a film dedicated to the power of hard science-fiction storytelling and the human spirit as we understand it. High marks definitely go to Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker for their valid efforts in making this situation feel so authentic, but make no mistake, this is Amy Adams' film and her poignant, deeply moving performance is nothing short of career-defining. Also at the apex of this masterwork is director Denis Villeneuve, whose trademark penchant for tension and realism helps propel this film towards the stellar heights that it reaches. Truly, the best science-fiction film I've seen in years. Handedly.… Expand

5 of 17 users found this helpful512

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10

MrFlanksterNov 25, 2016

I went in not expecting much. Walked out very surprised and deep in thought. This is one of the shows that you need to watch very closely... or plan on seeing it 2 or three times. Kinda like Inception. I walked out and some people wereI went in not expecting much. Walked out very surprised and deep in thought. This is one of the shows that you need to watch very closely... or plan on seeing it 2 or three times. Kinda like Inception. I walked out and some people were saying, "Did I miss something?" Fortunate for me, I got it right away... which is rare for me. Being a single, full time dad and going through my fair share of trials, this movie had me thinking and pondering for hours after. It really has you asking yourself the final question that Amy Adams asks Jeremy Renner at the end... which is really the point of this movie. There really isn't a poignant, relevant, thought provoking movie out there like this. It's truly one of a kind.… Expand

5 of 18 users found this helpful513

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10

lElMuertolNov 25, 2016

Denis Villeneuve once again showing us how to do a film, his Arrival is very important for all of movie lovers.

Arrival is such a masterpiece, everything in a Villeneuve movie is in Arrival, great perfomances, specially Amy Adams, doingDenis Villeneuve once again showing us how to do a film, his Arrival is very important for all of movie lovers.

Arrival is such a masterpiece, everything in a Villeneuve movie is in Arrival, great perfomances, specially Amy Adams, doing excelent job once again, great and emotional story, incredibly beautiful looking and also outstanding special effects and Alien designs.

Denis Villeneuve is here to share with us all how to be a filmmaker and how to make a movie, because he is a important filmmaker and Arrival is the best movie of 2016. I can't wait to see the Blade Runner sequel with Ryan Gosling =)… Expand

5 of 18 users found this helpful513

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10

k0rnsptiZNov 24, 2016

When going to the movies tonight, I was afraid that I would be definitely let down due to my high expectations after watching all trailers, reading into the material and, of course, being quite the Denis Villeneuve appreciator. After walkingWhen going to the movies tonight, I was afraid that I would be definitely let down due to my high expectations after watching all trailers, reading into the material and, of course, being quite the Denis Villeneuve appreciator. After walking out of the cinema with my significant other, both of us agreed that this was probably one of the best movies we had seen in a long time. The lack of unnecessary action, the brilliant story telling, the beautiful pictures combined with a much more than just suitable cast, made this film an amazing experience - and to round this up it send the audience into the night with a beautiful message - working together in desperate times for the greater good will always be the solution. L.K.… Expand

6 of 21 users found this helpful615

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10

ScarlettMiNov 23, 2016

Arrival is a truly excellent movie.

It gets every element of filmmaking right. The script balances a strong scifi plot with an even stronger human story. I was so impressed with how riveting and cinematic the work of a linguist was made. TheArrival is a truly excellent movie.

It gets every element of filmmaking right. The script balances a strong scifi plot with an even stronger human story. I was so impressed with how riveting and cinematic the work of a linguist was made. The acting hits all the complex, layered notes just right as it tells a story that demands a lot of nuance from Amy Adams in particular. The cinematography and direction work so well in creating wide, haunting shots that make the characters feel small and vulnerable and then close, intimate shots that make us feel sympathetically claustrophobic. The music is haunting and memorable. The effects are stylish, subtle, and well-executed.

My friend and I left the theater talking about so many elements of this movie and now, a week and a half later, I still haven't gotten sick of discussing it.… Expand

6 of 21 users found this helpful615

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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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8

GinaKNov 22, 2016

Congrats to the scriptwriter, director, and Amy Adams for making an extremely sentimental film that didn’t make me want to throw up in my popcorn. Amy Adams is really quite amazing as she pulls off a role where she is part brains and partCongrats to the scriptwriter, director, and Amy Adams for making an extremely sentimental film that didn’t make me want to throw up in my popcorn. Amy Adams is really quite amazing as she pulls off a role where she is part brains and part feeling – and she manages to make them mesh and make sense. It’s almost a miracle. As usual, Villeneuve has made an original film that is also an interesting genre film with an excellent cast. Unless you only like blood and guts or only like real weepies, you should see this film.… Expand

4 of 19 users found this helpful415

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9

SnoracksNov 21, 2016

One of the best of the year so far. This is one of the most engrossing films I've seen in years -- kept my eyes absolutely glued to the screen. I had a few issues with the film lingering too much on the ending and not trusting the audienceOne of the best of the year so far. This is one of the most engrossing films I've seen in years -- kept my eyes absolutely glued to the screen. I had a few issues with the film lingering too much on the ending and not trusting the audience to figure out certain things, but as far as major sci-fi releases go, this is one of the greats.… Expand

5 of 21 users found this helpful516

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10

WaltexNov 21, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Such a beautiful, well-directed film.

This director knows what he's doing and it shows. Nearly every moment hits it's mark/purpose.

Amy Adams shines and her genuine, unguarded loving was surprising and refreshing ... it taught me something new about acting (for example when she plays with her daughter near the start of the film).

The science man isn't as good, but he's ok in terms of acting. He's a bit distanced ... I can't really connect with him somehow ... I'm not really sure what he offers to the mission actually (it's mainly Amy who does it all).

I was a bit irritated that they had a bird tweeting all the time, when what Amy Adams was trying to do was listen to the sounds the aliens made, so why have a bird tweeting away interfering with the noise? Can't they get a species of bird that doesn't tweet, as their oxygen-monitor?

I didn't really understand the bit where there was gunfire outside the alien ship, but I can look past that, as the rest of the film was so awesome.

I loved the bit at the end where you see Amy rewarded for her work ... good on her.

Beautiful low-key lighting sometimes in the defence base... beautiful directing and creative choices there.

I like how they mainly hide the shape and look of the alien object until Amy actually ventures to it.

Nice beautiful pacing ... I like how they immediately go into the ship soon upon landing.

I would really like to congratulate the director… Expand

4 of 17 users found this helpful413

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9

ImJustCrayNov 20, 2016

So in my experiences living around the world, I have already come to theorize the concept this movie was based off on. I have for a long time thought about how language affects the way we think. This movie takes that theory to another levelSo in my experiences living around the world, I have already come to theorize the concept this movie was based off on. I have for a long time thought about how language affects the way we think. This movie takes that theory to another level and will a little background and experience of linguistics I feel like I got a deeper understanding of this movie. Understanding the underlying concepts of this movie made it a lot more enjoyable. People compare it to Interstellar but this apples and oranges. I will say if you like and understand theories of spacetime you most likely enjoy Interstellar more, same can be said for Sapir–Whorf hypothesis.… Expand

3 of 19 users found this helpful316

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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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7

Ming120Nov 20, 2016

The movie was provocative, makes you think, and has you asking questions afterwards. This said, it's not a movie that is easily comprehensible, and can be easily forgettable with time.

3 of 12 users found this helpful39

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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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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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10

Jess_HillNov 20, 2016

A superb, cerebral experience, with sublime cinematography and a storyline which is subtle, complex and captivating. This is an exceptional film, with performances that are both nuanced and powerful - Adams is brilliant - and the carefulA superb, cerebral experience, with sublime cinematography and a storyline which is subtle, complex and captivating. This is an exceptional film, with performances that are both nuanced and powerful - Adams is brilliant - and the careful pacing coupled with a soundtrack that uses silence to enhance tension means that you're completely entranced throughout. This is not a fast paced action film, this is a masterfully crafted drama which I will be watching again. 9.97/10… Expand

7 of 26 users found this helpful719

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8

moviemitch96Nov 19, 2016

It's definitely one of the more restrained and intelligent sci-fi films in recent memory, but nonetheless, this makes for a pretty compelling watch. Director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario) ventures into the sci-fi territory quiteIt's definitely one of the more restrained and intelligent sci-fi films in recent memory, but nonetheless, this makes for a pretty compelling watch. Director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario) ventures into the sci-fi territory quite seamlessly and Amy Adams is at the top of her game in this with some additional great supporting turns from Jeremy Renner and Forrest Whitaker. The unique visuals and effects also served the film well. Really my only complaint is that I found myself a bit underwhelmed by the film's twist as it felt somewhat predictable and lacked much of an impact both on me and for the film. Overall, I absolutely wouldn't go as far as some have who claim that this is one of the best sci-fi films in years or even of all time but it still remains a solid and compelling film for the most part despite the twist not really doing much for me.… Expand

5 of 19 users found this helpful514

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10

TryASummersaultNov 19, 2016

4.8/5. I'm glad I gave this a chance because I completely misjudged and underestimated this by trailers and can honestly say it's one of the most complexly beautiful films I've ever seen. I am completely in absolute awe of the sheer amazing4.8/5. I'm glad I gave this a chance because I completely misjudged and underestimated this by trailers and can honestly say it's one of the most complexly beautiful films I've ever seen. I am completely in absolute awe of the sheer amazing intertwined emotional story that bends comprehension. The way this was executed from start to finish by Denis Villeneuve was near flawless and his message of love and peace was magnificently conveyed with glorious vision. He is definitely one of the greatest directors around right now. Adams and Renner were outstanding and the most fascinating aspect were the aliens obviously which you will have to see this to truly understand. Imagine the best elements from "Contact" and "Interstellar" and you'll get this mind blowing emotionally driven Sci/fi drama new age classic.… Expand

7 of 25 users found this helpful718

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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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8

dspratlinNov 19, 2016

What’s it about?

Aliens make contact with Earth and Amy Adams is the only person who can speak their language What did I think? An incredibly tense and engrossing film, Arrival subverts the traditional Sci-Fi blockbuster with a gorgeousWhat’s it about?

Aliens make contact with Earth and Amy Adams is the only person who can speak their language

What did I think?

An incredibly tense and engrossing film, Arrival subverts the traditional Sci-Fi blockbuster with a gorgeous mix of cinematography, direction, and really solid narrative. Add Amy Adams’ absolutely stunning performance and you have one of the best movies of 2016.… Expand

6 of 20 users found this helpful614

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9

msmorrNov 19, 2016

I was nearly in tears by the end. For those who say this is what Interstellar wished it could be, you're right. A beautiful, complex story. Amy Adams is fantastic.

11 of 28 users found this helpful1117

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7

TheMetacritiqerNov 16, 2016

Wow.Nice update metacritic. I saw this movie because of the director. Yes. He directed Sicario, one of my favorite movies ever. Back to arrival.There's a pretty big twist at the end.It's not on the level of say Bioshock Infinite or SpecWow.Nice update metacritic. I saw this movie because of the director. Yes. He directed Sicario, one of my favorite movies ever. Back to arrival.There's a pretty big twist at the end.It's not on the level of say Bioshock Infinite or Spec Ops:The Line but it is new to my knowledge. My predictions were wrong as to what will be revealed or happen next. One of the best parts is when the aliens are revealed right as the Sicario(yep, similarity for those who are looking. Well listening) esque music blares up. You'll see some aliens almost as cool as the reapers. It's good sci-fi stuff and Amy Adams looks great. I guess that's about it. I could go deeper but nah(pronounced "na" not "noh") Too bad Denis isn't directing Solando. And Emily Blunt isn't in it! But then again, Benicio Del Toro's character can be captivating. "Go ahead,finish your meal"… Expand

4 of 16 users found this helpful412

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9

KannibalNov 18, 2016

A fantastic film that will have you talking for a long time after, it also has original elements that are subtle but refreshing. if you are a Sci-fi fan this is required viewing.

6 of 24 users found this helpful618

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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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6

faridiNov 18, 2016

Arrival is one of those movies where people think that if you did not think it is a great movie, then it means you did not understand it. The payoff at the end was just barely enough to cover the deficiencies. Getting to the end wasArrival is one of those movies where people think that if you did not think it is a great movie, then it means you did not understand it. The payoff at the end was just barely enough to cover the deficiencies. Getting to the end was difficult. It was super slow. The romance seemed forced. Could have been better. 6/10.… Expand

6 of 17 users found this helpful611

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10

MasterRileyNov 17, 2016

Arrival is a remarkably unique film about an alien invasion and the language barriers that come with it. The story follows Dr. Louise Banks, a university professor who is called upon to help communicate with the aliens when they 'arrive' (punArrival is a remarkably unique film about an alien invasion and the language barriers that come with it. The story follows Dr. Louise Banks, a university professor who is called upon to help communicate with the aliens when they 'arrive' (pun intended) on Earth. She meets Ian Donnelly, who she begins growing close to as they work together to communicate with the aliens. The film introduced a really cool way of how the aliens speak and use language. The story continues to get more and more interesting as the characters unravel new information. Because of this the writing and direction were really great, especially how everything comes together in the ending. Casting Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner as the leads were solid choices, they both bring really great performances to their roles. I also really dug the musical score, it was haunting yet very unique and worked well. Arrival is a fantastic movie that is guaranteed to surprise and impress. Definitely don't miss it!… Expand

7 of 27 users found this helpful720

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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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10

TheCoreNov 17, 2016

Arrival is basically the Michael Crichton version of a "story by" Chris Nolan & Carl Sagan sort-of-remake of Close Encounters and/or Contact. Villenueve is one of my favorite directors right now, and this makes it all the more awesome thatArrival is basically the Michael Crichton version of a "story by" Chris Nolan & Carl Sagan sort-of-remake of Close Encounters and/or Contact. Villenueve is one of my favorite directors right now, and this makes it all the more awesome that he's helming Bladerunner 2049. It looks like some people are slamming this for not being big and loud (and dumb) like a Transformers movie, which is spot-on because Arrival is thankfully the complete opposite of those in nearly every way (and don't forget- as revered as Bladerunner is as one of the greatest, if not cult, sci-fi (and Ridley Scott movies for that matter) of all time, it tanked at the box office and isn't exactly paced like Raiders or Empire Strikes Back). If you tried to watch Close Encounters recently, you might've found it to be a fairly tough watch for its insanely slow burn pace, but in its time it was riveting, thought-provoking, and powerful, which is essentially what Arrival pulls off for our modern age. And much like Contact, I don't see Arrival being the movie I rewatch as frequently as The Incredibles, the last 3 Mission Impossible movies, Fury Road, or any season of Game of Thrones or Hannibal, but man it's a fat-free, compelling as hell watch the first time around from beginning to end... though it won't hurt if don't go into it expecting Interstellar, The Martian, or Gravity. Again, your 60-something favorite Uncle or under-30-something semi-millenials would probably be much happier watching Dr. Strange (which I kinda almost loved), Hacksaw Ridge, or Jack Reacher 2, but Arrival is clearly the one most likely to (hopefully) nab an Oscar nom.… Expand

7 of 26 users found this helpful719

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6

TVJerryNov 17, 2016

The aliens have returned. This time in cool-looking, mysterious crafts that hover above the earth in 12 places. Amy Adams is the expert linguist (with a troubled past?) who's brought in to try to establish communications with the mysteriousThe aliens have returned. This time in cool-looking, mysterious crafts that hover above the earth in 12 places. Amy Adams is the expert linguist (with a troubled past?) who's brought in to try to establish communications with the mysterious creatures. This film's concepts for otherworldly design are intriguing, but after seeing the film, the reason for their visit is still hazy. While there's lots of enticing set up, the proceedings move slowly to a repetitive and frustrating crawl before it's over. To make matters worse, the ending may leave you flummoxed. (Some internet research helped explain it.) While the premise is certainly fascinating, the dwindling pace and lack of much tension results in a less-than-satisfying outcome to this untraditional extraterrestrial narrative.… Expand

7 of 15 users found this helpful78

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5

moviecritic68Nov 16, 2016

Being a sci-fi buff I was anxious to see this film. It was not all I hoped it would be. Repeated scenes over & over lost the interest of the audience as I could feel. The acting was average and the sub plot was difficult to follow. JustBeing a sci-fi buff I was anxious to see this film. It was not all I hoped it would be. Repeated scenes over & over lost the interest of the audience as I could feel. The acting was average and the sub plot was difficult to follow. Just couldn't rate it as some have.… Expand

9 of 20 users found this helpful911

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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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9

propyl21Nov 16, 2016

I truly enjoyed this movie. Everyone will take away a different meaning from this movie due to their own current life circumstances.

The movie is well paced with the right level of tension and suspense building throughout, and the cast do aI truly enjoyed this movie. Everyone will take away a different meaning from this movie due to their own current life circumstances.

The movie is well paced with the right level of tension and suspense building throughout, and the cast do a great job in portraying the scenario to the viewer.

Ultimately, the movie is about language and meaning. The notion that we humankind are living on the brink of war day-to-day, due to the division of language, and yet we use language to bring meaning to our lives as well as using it to convey our humanity. This speaks on many levels and Villeneuve has managed to capture the essence and importance of language. The very same language that changed minds of millions of people to elect a new president. The same language that brings peace to millions worldwide through prayer. That same language that can be both beneficial and destructive to humanity.… Expand

4 of 20 users found this helpful416

All this user's reviews

6

cgoofiesNov 16, 2016

I went to see this because when I arrived at the theatre Arrival was the only movie that just started. I liked Jeremy Renner in other movies like The Town, so I thought I would watch this one. I was pretty disappointed and could not give moreI went to see this because when I arrived at the theatre Arrival was the only movie that just started. I liked Jeremy Renner in other movies like The Town, so I thought I would watch this one. I was pretty disappointed and could not give more than a 6. It seems he did not get enough acting in and even looked quiet at times like his lines were cut out. I don't see him in a romantic role either and the music was too overwhelming for me. It is an interesting idea but I don't believe the writing was really there, her flashbacks were predictable, and you knew what was going to happen. One of those films basically you know as the ones that rely on the CGI to get the ticket sales which is a losing concept to me.… Expand

5 of 13 users found this helpful58

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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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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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9

analogkid280Nov 15, 2016

Not sure if the best sci-fi in years but certainly the best of 2016. I can understand why critics would love this as it does not follow normal popcorn bucket plot lines. Good acting and wonderful cinematography will make sure you enjoy this film.

4 of 21 users found this helpful417

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10

MrMovieBuffNov 15, 2016

'Arrival', along with 'Hell or High Water' (2016) is one of the best movies of the year. Director, Denis Villeneuve ('Sicario'), this film brings in some uneasy tension and atmospheric moments that will keep you hooked through its 1 hour and'Arrival', along with 'Hell or High Water' (2016) is one of the best movies of the year. Director, Denis Villeneuve ('Sicario'), this film brings in some uneasy tension and atmospheric moments that will keep you hooked through its 1 hour and 55 minute run-time. Amy Adams stars as Louise Banks, a linguist who is selected after twelve strange extraterrestrial spacecrafts have landed in 12 different parts of the world. What they plan on doing seems unclear to everyone, until Louise manages to find a way to make contact with these strange extraterrestrials. She is brought in by Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker) who informs her that she might be able to help communicate with these strange species. Along her journey, she also meets military astrophysicist, Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) who remains to trust her the most when she is searching for answers. The movie creates this uneasy mix of tension and surprises, like most of Villeneuve's work, it is deliberately paced, but this makes room for some well crafted and carefully handled scenes that are pleasing to the eye. Our main character, Louise, seems emotionally distant from time to time, but we discover her backstory more and more as the film goes on. The sound editing is some of the best I've heard since 'Gravity' (2013), where anything that is loud is loud, and whenever the atmosphere is quiet, it is quiet and remains that way. There are no gimmicks or any unrealistic artificial sounds to make it an easy watch. Everything you see and hear is real. The movie should get Oscar consideration for its sound editing, not to mention that this might just be Villeneuve's best directorial work yet. He should receive a "Best Director" nomination for his work here. If you love mysterious sci-fi with added tension, and even some occasional drama, with some of the best piece of filmmaking ever seen... you owe it to yourself to see 'Arrival'.… Expand

8 of 29 users found this helpful821

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10

coughlin48Nov 14, 2016

Having read the story on which the movie is based, I pretty much knew what to expect. I thought the treatment of the complex language issues at the heart of the story was excellent. I didn't mind the action inserted at the end of the movie,Having read the story on which the movie is based, I pretty much knew what to expect. I thought the treatment of the complex language issues at the heart of the story was excellent. I didn't mind the action inserted at the end of the movie, even though it wasn't in the original story. 10/10 for me.… Expand

6 of 25 users found this helpful619

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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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5

netflicNov 14, 2016

This is a science fiction movie about aliens visiting our planet. Or rather about attempts the mankind takes trying to establish a contact with aliens.

The movie is done quite professionally, and I liked it's cinematography and sound track.This is a science fiction movie about aliens visiting our planet. Or rather about attempts the mankind takes trying to establish a contact with aliens.

The movie is done quite professionally, and I liked it's cinematography and sound track.
There are good actors starring there (Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker), and they deliver adequate performance. Most of the movie kept me interested. Sometimes pseudo-philosophical lingo carried me away. I think the movie was too long, and the script has not been thought through, leading to nowhere. Which is a shame, it had a lot of potential.… Expand

13 of 24 users found this helpful1311

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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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8

SportelloNov 14, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Denis Villeneuve's Arrival is a study of how humans communicate and attempt to understand each other. It examines human relationships that are endured through time, bringing into perspective the intricacies of our language and our interactions with something we don't understand. Only lastly is it a sci-fi movie about extraterrestrial life.

Villeneuve has proved to be a director of utmost talent and diversity, but also the one that surrounds himself with equal talent, the Arrival being no different. Young's (Selma; A Most Violent Year) cinematography and style in depicting the research groups enter the mysterious ships produces some of the most groundbreaking sci-fi scenes that have ever been shot. The ships themselves look like timeless, shapeless monoliths. They defy the laws of physics and seem to have their own atmosphere inside. It is truly a grandiose, terrifying, unknown object. The Aliens inside those ships as well as the surroundings seem to raise more questions then answers, while the ships gloriously 'stand' on the backdrop of incredible landscapes, such as oceans, mountains and panoramic plains.

Jóhann Jóhannsson is a long time favorite of Villeneuve, producing scores for Sicario and Prisoners. In Arrival his score elevates the scenes, adding tension utilizing mostly classical, timeless sounds. It is some of the best work Johann has done to date.

Most importantly however Arrival brings a story that is original, beautifully ambitious and most surprisingly relatable and real. Real enough to believe that if this had happened tomorrow, the outcomes would not have been much different. It might however be that ambition that sometimes separates Arrival from being a true masterpiece.

We witnesses the Arrival of the Alien ships through the eyes of a linguist professor, Dr. Louise Banks, convincingly played by Amy Adams. Louise is constantly haunted by a series of flashbacks depicting her daughter's life & early death. It is unknown how this is connected to the Arrival, but this relationship establishes the infrastructure for what Denis is possibly trying to convey, the pain and joy that language, time & communication bring.

The aliens don't seem to be hostile; rather, they are trying to say something that a human can't translate. This is where Louise is required, trying to communicate with the aliens to understand the purpose of the arrival. However as the inability to understand grows, so do human frustrations, leading to inevitable disputes, wars and drastic actions.

In Arrival we see China as the first country to decide to take actions against the aliens, with no apparent reason. In a comically ironic scene, we see the Chinese leader give the Aliens 24 hours to vacate before starting the attacks. Communications stall as all the research groups go offline, while Banks and her team race against time looking for answers.

Some parts of the Arrival echo the Roadside Picnic by the Strugatsky brothers. There, Aliens have come and left, leaving behind mysterious 'zones' filled with objects that only 'Stalkers' dare to explore. The metaphor that humans perceive aliens similarly to how insects perceive humans & human objects, imagining a group of ants stumbling upon an abandoned roadside picnic, full of mysterious objects and sights.

Yet the message of the Arrival is different. It originates from a kinder place, it projects the need for working together, for using language to try and understand others. In this sense the sci-fi aspect of Arrival can be seen almost as an allegory to say that as humans we owe it to each other to communicate more before taking actions, regardless of how painful the outcomes might be. I fear many will critique The Arrival for this 'kindness', for deviating from a more traditional resolution, but it's refreshing. That a director is able to portray an Alien arrival in such a rational, artistic and melancholic way is a tribute to his strength of character.… Expand

4 of 22 users found this helpful418

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5

BeeceeNov 14, 2016

The film starts off in an interesting way. An alien race lands in 12 places on earth for an unknown reason. Amy Adams is a linguist who is contacted by the military to communicate with the aliens, with a metallic, spider-like appearance,The film starts off in an interesting way. An alien race lands in 12 places on earth for an unknown reason. Amy Adams is a linguist who is contacted by the military to communicate with the aliens, with a metallic, spider-like appearance, who communicate through circles of ink. The effort to communicate with the aliens is the most interesting part of this film. However, there is a major digression into the private life of Adams' character, and the film goes back and forth over time regarding the daughter's life (who is in the hospital in one scene) - her husband barely appears. The movie is basically unsatisfying and confusing - you never really understand why the aliens came to earth in the first place and why they landed in 12 locations. With the exception of Adams' character, you never really get to know anyone else. There also doesn't seem to be any interactions with people at the other locations. "Contact" was a much better and coherent movie on a similar subject.… Expand

5 of 15 users found this helpful510

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10

VadertimeNov 14, 2016

So, if you take the cerebral elements from "The Fifth Element", the time travel element from "Interstellar" and parts from "The Lathe of Heaven" you'll have something that closely resembles "Arrival". A very cerebral, thought-provoking movieSo, if you take the cerebral elements from "The Fifth Element", the time travel element from "Interstellar" and parts from "The Lathe of Heaven" you'll have something that closely resembles "Arrival". A very cerebral, thought-provoking movie with stellar acting by all the major characters. As a sci-fi buff, I indulge my guilt gigantic, transforming robot on robot mayhem as well as the deeper movies like this one. It is a solidly, suspenseful movie that has a surprise twist near the end. Go see it.… Expand

7 of 25 users found this helpful718

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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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10

migdalorguyNov 13, 2016

Arrival is, if you'll pardon the expression, one the best cinematic mindf*cks I have received in a while. It's a truly cerebral film, which might not be to everybody's taste. If you're looking for action/adventure Sci-Fi look elsewhere. IfArrival is, if you'll pardon the expression, one the best cinematic mindf*cks I have received in a while. It's a truly cerebral film, which might not be to everybody's taste. If you're looking for action/adventure Sci-Fi look elsewhere. If you are looking to be engaged, asked to think, pay attention, and read between the lines, you'll find this a plot worthy of your time and effort.… Expand

6 of 27 users found this helpful621

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5

ryecaNov 13, 2016

Not great. As others have said, it is slow. Also, it feels like they just did a wikipedia search for "linguistics" and then wrote a script around the first paragraph. I don't see this as a cerebral sci fi film at all. More of a cheesy, slog-fest.

21 of 44 users found this helpful2123

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0

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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5

Sh4rk82Nov 13, 2016

Can I be honest? This movie doesn't have any sense? What "precious" message aliens have for the Humanity? after half hour I completely lost interest watching the movie that was turning into a no sense plot. After Indipendece day any otherCan I be honest? This movie doesn't have any sense? What "precious" message aliens have for the Humanity? after half hour I completely lost interest watching the movie that was turning into a no sense plot. After Indipendece day any other Sci-Fi movies has been able to be plausible (for what possible), exciting and with a simple as much as deep story. Disappointed… Expand

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

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10

kevinshepardNov 13, 2016

I made an account just to say that this was the greatest movie I have ever seen. I have been having an existential crisis since i saw it two days ago. Please see this movie

8 of 28 users found this helpful820

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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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7

Seymour_MoviesNov 13, 2016

Arrival brings a somewhat unique spin to the overly done and cheesy typical alien plot. Visually, this movie has beautiful, yet simple shots that seem to abruptly change style throughout the movie. The writing was clever throughout, but atArrival brings a somewhat unique spin to the overly done and cheesy typical alien plot. Visually, this movie has beautiful, yet simple shots that seem to abruptly change style throughout the movie. The writing was clever throughout, but at times is very corny and transparent. Amy is absolutely amazing and singlehandedly swayed me to rate this movie at least a star higher.… Expand

5 of 20 users found this helpful515

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5

AxgrinderNov 13, 2016

As a “thought-provoking” movie, Arrival is over-rated drivel. Amy Adams is a good actor, and she does yeoman’s work here, but she breaks no new ground. The movie is a “Fail” almost every other level. Forest Whitaker is wooden, and TheAs a “thought-provoking” movie, Arrival is over-rated drivel. Amy Adams is a good actor, and she does yeoman’s work here, but she breaks no new ground. The movie is a “Fail” almost every other level. Forest Whitaker is wooden, and The Notebook like story within a story is lame.

Amy Adams plays Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist, trying to figure out how to speak to aliens that have arrived at earth in dark, giant, scary looking, pods that look like slag. The aliens have no spoken or alphabet based written language. Instead, the aliens converse using ink blots (which look like the stain that a wine glass might leave on a cardboard coaster, and made me wonder if the writer came up with the whole idea while sitting at a bar.) Equally boring and conventional are the aliens. (Why do aliens always seem to have squid-like bodies?)

Dr. Banks is apparently the only gifted linguist left in the world, and the gov’t seeks out her expertise to the exclusion of all others. (Ugh!) Dr. Banks speculates that the aliens are so advanced that they have no apparent way to communicate with humans, and thus it is up to the humans to figure out how to communicate with them. (Groan!) For Kumbaya reasons, the aliens have split the message they want to convey to the people of earth into 12 parts, and use 12 different space craft to deliver it to 12 different populations across the earth. (Ay Yi Yi!) Of course, the reaction of earth people is to go loot Best Buy and then try to blow up the aliens.

There is a story within the story about time travel (Oh no!) and Amy Adams daughter who, we learn early on, has died from some rare disease. This is supposed to give the movie its heart, but when you separate out the two movies halves, neither part has enough weight to give the movie any real substance. As far as director Denis Vileneuve goes, I liked his work in Sicario. Arrival is a step backwards.… Expand

11 of 23 users found this helpful1112

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10

Weis-muellerNov 13, 2016

This movie matters: an unmatched success at integrating emotional inner monologue narration and flashbacks, calmly spoken and seen, with relentlessly building life-or-death tension. Intriguing questions subtly drift into our consciousness asThis movie matters: an unmatched success at integrating emotional inner monologue narration and flashbacks, calmly spoken and seen, with relentlessly building life-or-death tension. Intriguing questions subtly drift into our consciousness as strikingly violent threats surround us--drenched in beauty and answered with mind. This film answers the question: is it still possible for a character's whole person, their existence, to be turned into a minute-to-minute crucial experience for the viewer? Yes, twelve times--Yes!… Expand

7 of 28 users found this helpful721

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10

saucyninja007Nov 13, 2016

Phenomenal. Captivating. Gripping. Everything - the acting, story, cinematography, sound design, score - was excellent. I can't wait to see it again. What a film.

9 of 30 users found this helpful921

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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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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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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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10

Brent_MarchantNov 12, 2016

Without a doubt, one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time. Its suspenseful, atmospheric mood, along with its profound metaphysical message, heartfelt narrative and understated performances, combine to deliver one of the mostWithout a doubt, one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time. Its suspenseful, atmospheric mood, along with its profound metaphysical message, heartfelt narrative and understated performances, combine to deliver one of the most impressive, thought-provoking pictures to come out in years. This edge-of-your-seat, edge-of-your-consciousness sci-fi thriller succeeds where predecessors like "Interstellar," "Gravity" and "2010" failed. It left me awed and speechless, and, if you approach it with an open mind, it just may do the same to you.… Expand

9 of 31 users found this helpful922

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10

AurelTristenNov 12, 2016

What can I say that hasn't already been said? If you are current or former military, you will appreciate the attention to detail when it comes to how the US Army is presented in this film. IE, the uniforms, equipment and lingo is mercifullyWhat can I say that hasn't already been said? If you are current or former military, you will appreciate the attention to detail when it comes to how the US Army is presented in this film. IE, the uniforms, equipment and lingo is mercifully accurate, allowing you to enjoy the movie instead of getting caught up on the stupid stuff. It isn't a military movie, it is a movie with the military in it, presented accurately.

Civilians might scoff at the idea of upping a film's score for this fact, but you can't fully appreciate how bad of a job Hollywood does with what should be an easy task. It truly isn't difficult or expensive to get these things right, which is why many of us are dumbfounded by the lack of effort in many other films.

As to the movie its self, I think it was the best thing I've seen all year (2016). The trailer didn't give the whole thing away, and it was built as a vehicle to deliver an idea, where each shot is composed using thought and care. It isn't just people standing center frame reading their lines, interspersed with over the top VFX that fail to contribute to the story.… Expand

10 of 32 users found this helpful1022

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9

OrudomonkiNov 12, 2016

It's absolutely a jaw dropping experience. Tension building to its finest, great cinematography, great storytelling, great acting. Denis Villeneuve is impressing me more and more.

4 of 22 users found this helpful418

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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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9

RathaelNov 12, 2016

ARRIVAL

THE REVIEW Science Fiction with a brain. Its not common to have a movie like this anymore, there were few and far between lately. Sunshine, Midnight Special, Edge of Tomorrow are few movies that come to mind. Even the last one IARRIVAL

THE REVIEW

Science Fiction with a brain. Its not common to have a movie like this anymore, there were few and far between lately. Sunshine, Midnight Special, Edge of Tomorrow are few movies that come to mind. Even the last one I mentioned is a big spectacle movie, it was still very smartly written. This movie deals with one of the most existential question of our time. What would happen, if aliens landed unexpectedly, not just in one spot but across the globe. How would we behave as species, both as regular people and as the governments in general. This movie manages to balance those questions and more, in this tense sci-fi drama.

There are quite a few notable things about this movie, obviously the actors and Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner both give fantastic performances in which they enter this new reality both with what they know as a linguist and a scientist, but moreover as almost childlike wonder, as no one could prepare them for the exhilaration of the first contact, and what it means to them as just human beings. Both performances are subdued but there is enough tension that you just can't wait what happens next.

Forest Whitaker plays a colonel that recruits Adams' and Renner's characters to help them communicate and ultimately translate the ultimate question that anyone who would get in contact with an alien species the first time would have: “Why are you here”. He plays a skeptic with an open mind (oxymoron I get it), but he lets them proceed with how they believe would be the best way to get to the final answers.

Another big character in this movie is a music, which is very operatic, and with some could say somewhat religious overtones, which should have been detracting but actually adds the layer of suspense to the entire movie, and the aliens themselves. Direction in this movie is great, and that is very important in a movie like this. Mostly because it is not played out to be shoot them up action blockbuster, Dennis Villeneuve of Sicario and Prisoners fame, finds a perfect balance where even the explanation part of the movie is very tense, and never boring. This is very important in this movie as they could become “talky” and go over the heads of people, with people losing interest and that's not what we here, its very well balanced.

Overall the movie is a fantastic watch, and quite a break from all the big blockbusters of the summer, and shows that an alien encounter movie doesn't have to be all about big explosions or monuments falling, but actually be about finding out about ourselves as much as about the aliens.

4 out of 4 stars… Expand

11 of 30 users found this helpful1119

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9

NerdConsultantNov 12, 2016

I really, really enjoyed this film, Arrival is a very innovative and smart science fiction film. This had some great writing, fantastic cinematography, some really good performances and plot twists that will really warrant repeat viewings.I really, really enjoyed this film, Arrival is a very innovative and smart science fiction film. This had some great writing, fantastic cinematography, some really good performances and plot twists that will really warrant repeat viewings. It has been so difficult to talk about this without going into spoilers, but I think this film is coming out at the right time for the right audience and it tells a very interesting story that will resonate with a lot of people. I would say, for the visual flair alone, this is one film to try and see on a cinema screen since I don’t think it will play as well on a Television screen. It’s really cool, really interesting and I don’t think there will be another film like it for the rest of the year. Check this one out.… Expand

11 of 32 users found this helpful1121

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Arrival

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