Director: Denis Villeneuve
Writers: Eric Heisserer (screenplay)
Actors: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
COMMENTS: Twelve mysterious alien spaceships appear at strategic locations around Planet Earth. Are they conquerors or are they space travelers with peaceful intentions?
Since no one seems able to communicate with them, the world must choose: Attack or befriend? Amy Adams, who portrays linguist Louise Banks, is soon recruited to figure out a language for communication with the ET’s.
Jeremy Renner portrays Ian Donnelly, her physicist cohort. While he offers theories of his own, very quickly we trust Louise’s theories more. Amy Adams inhabits her role of brilliant scientist. Yet the nuances of her human normality shine just as brilliantly when we witness the lingering heartbreak in her personal life and her inherent terror at facing the alien visitors.
Jeremy Renner is less effective. The only time I believe in his character is when he’s fighting to protect Amy Adams. I wish I could have seen some emotional passion in him.
The scenario is entirely believable. When General Shang decides to attack one of the ships, we know that would be a big mistake. Surely a civilization which can travel through galaxies has superior weapons? It’s Louise Banks who saves the day, and there’s a nice twist in the story which makes this possible.
Director Denis Villenueve has opted for scenes which emphasize the predictable reaction of humanity at the dramatic arrival of ET’s on earth. Of course there’s immediate military takeover of the situation, but shouldn’t we be patient and achieve communication before attacking?
There is no violence per se in this movie, but the fear factor is there. In the end, we are forced to consider the possible destruction of all humanity, and that is scary enough.
SUMMARY: GEN: 8; JUST: 9; HUVA: 10
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2543164/?ref_=nv_sr_1
TAGS: Arrival, Denis Villenueve, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Extraterrestrials, Science Fiction, Linguist
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