MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Arrival’

(Paramount Pictures)

By Lucas Allen

Director Denis Villeneuve is already growing as a filmmaker giving us human perspectives on different genres. He first gained worldwide attention with the suspenseful drama “Prisoners” before shocking us with a gritty look on the war on drugs with “Sicario.” This year, the acclaimed director takes on the sci-fi and alien invaders genre with the smart and intelligent “Arrival.” Don’t think of it like “Independence Day” or “War of the Worlds,” because this film uses another approach of having the aliens come to Earth.

Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is a linguistics expert trying to move on after the sudden death of her young daughter. When 12 mysterious saucers unexpectedly land all over Earth, she’s brought in by Col. Weber (Forest Whitaker) to work with scientist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) to understand the alien’s language. Unfortunately, the symbols that represent their way of speaking is unknown and difficult to translate.

The more she reads the language, the more she understands how parts of it can form actual words. However, it triggers memories of her late daughter’s life in ways she didn’t expect. Then things start to look bad when other countries are planning to wage war on the invaders. Both Banks and Donnelly have to race against the clock to discover the aliens’ true purpose before a world-ending war could potentially start.

This film is more of a modern variation on the communication aspect of alien invaders and how humanity could benefit from it. Other movies like the original “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” also deal with man’s struggle to understand the unknown. But what makes this just as interesting is that it involves a lead character who has to struggle with both past, present and future to gain a whole new perspective. There’s also a fascinating third act twist that ties everything together.

Be aware that much of the movie is pretty slow and some blockbuster-happy people may find themselves bored by the pace. But those who are more in the mood for a story-based sci-fi film will find something to like about it. The look of the aliens may remind you of the ones from “Independence Day,” since they’re more squid-like in appearance. Either way, they look great, and it adds to the creepy atmosphere Villeneuve surely was going for.

All three leads give exceptional performances thanks to a great script and excellent direction. Adams is the ball and chain who brings the whole movie together. You follow her from beginning to end as she goes through her journey of rediscovery that’s really a life-changing experience. Renner does a convincing job as a scientist, while Whitaker adds some authority to his character.

“Arrival” may not change anybody’s minds, but it succeeds in being devoid of cliché, thanks to an intelligent plot and some well-developed characterization plus some great effects to boot. If you want to see something different from the usual norm, this may be a great choice for new kind of viewing experience.

THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for brief strong language)

THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.5 stars (out of four)