Film Review: Arrival (2016)

If we ever do meet an extraterrestrial race, our first biggest hurdle will be communication. Say the right things, and mankind could make a friend. Say the wrong things, and it could be war. It may not even be war with them, but war among ourselves, as we struggle to comprehend who they would be and what would they want.

These are the things that Isaac Asimov's dreams and HP Lovecraft's nightmares are made of, and it's also the focus of Arrival. In this slow-burning sci-fi drama, big alien discs appear around the Earth, and a language professor joins a government science team attempting first contact. Communication is the basis for all the conflict in this film, to the point where physical action and stakes come up dry. What it does accomplish effectively is building tension on the core dilemma, thanks to the gradual build-up of political pressure.

The story has a lot of merit and is worth seeing, even if it's been done before. Chances are nobody remembers a humble made-for-TV film Epoch, which was also about a strange alien rock that appeared and challenged scientists to decipher its message in the shadow of political stress. Arrival carries over all those same ideas, but with substantially better quality. Cinematography, dark though it is, boasts very solid photography, with shots that are occasionally evocative. Performances are top-notch--I've never seen so much emotional range from Amy Adams before, I continuously forgot it was her acting. Writing is fine. This production has really nice-looking sets, props, costumes, locales, and special effects. The music score has some odd quirks, but marries well with the film.

As a story, Arrival demands attention by toying with audience perception in ways that makes viewers wonder about what's really going on between the lines and what will happen next. There is a long dry spell in the opening quarter or so where tension and stakes are absent--these scenes are probably the weakest, but might hold up better on repeat viewings. The middle, with all its wonder and mystery, is properly captivating. The climax is gripping, but wraps up in a very fast and tidy manner--maybe a little quick for my liking. But this is accomplished by a natural quirk of the story involving the perception of time--it's a major plot point and theme, and it even prompts a more experimental cutting of the film to string the narrative to its natural conclusion. It's a style and twist befitting a Christopher Nolan film, but without killing credulity. If anything, most of Arrival holds up to scrutiny in its tight circle of a plot.

One thing that is hard to swallow is the sudden love story that pops up towards the end. With zero chemistry between the characters in question, this comes off as an abrupt way to tie up one or two loose ends that could have been left alone. At the same time, maybe chemistry isn't needed, given the circumstances of the overall story. Knowing the full circle of what happens, it fits in its own way, even if it feels like it shouldn't.

This is not a film to watch for action--it's a high-brow sci-fi drama with an intimate focus on character, plot, and themes. There is a slight undercurrent that carries the same fears and themes of a movie like The Day the Earth Stood Still, and it's enough to ensnare willing viewers in its delicate loop of a story. For the unwilling viewers who want more zing, I hear there's a cool new Star Wars movie!

4/5