Films/DVD Asylum

The Arrival has arrived at Comcast pay-play.

98.249.98.28

This Post Has Been Edited by the Author

This is great headbanger sci-fi, centering more on philosophy than science. If you read books in this genre, you know that the good ones do that. We have the usual paranoid military versus inquisitive scientists doing all of the battle in this one, which sets up the main question being explored in this film -- why do that? But the logical question the characters want answered is -- what do you want? That one does get answered, but only in quick passing, and it doesn't seem very relevant.

Language, thought and cultural patterning is the focus of the action, as Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner try to form a common basis for communication. With the aliens.

Interwoven into this scenario is the touching and tragic personal history of Adams, who seemingly is subjected to time-wharping visions by the aliens to sharpen her focus for their mission. There is a huge ah-ha moment at the end of two hours which helps tie the sequences together for viewers. Not too many ah-ha moments any more in films.

In all, a very entertaining film worth the time, providing much to ponder. Although Adams was practically the movie, I thought she played it too understated. Maybe Oscar voters felt the same.

All I know is that I'll never look at a plate of calamari the same again.

Follow Ups: