ARRIVAL review
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Arrival is a 2016 science-fiction blockbuster flick. Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker, directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners, Enemy). Met with critical acclaim and considered one of the year's best, it's about the mysterious arrival of twelve alien ships (which look like floating, metallic bananas) and how a translator tries to piece together what the aliens are saying and avoid an interplanetary catastrophe. I got sold on this movie by Chris Stuckmann (great movie reviewer on YouTube; be sure to check him out if you haven't already). Been a while since I reviewed a live-action movie, though I have a few more reviews in the oven right now. So how is Arrival, in my opinion? Extraordinarily good.
Visually, Arrival is very low on special effects but still looks really great in that regard. Wardrobes and sets are slick, the heptapods are well designed and Lovecraft-reminiscent (never a downside). In terms of audio, the musical score is also somewhat minimal but strong nevertheless, heightening the atmosphere. The acting is excellent. Nobody feels like they're playing a character, and Adams gives a superb leading performance.
Arrival's plot is its centerpiece, and as such had to be good if this movie was to hold up. It's brilliant, with excellent pacing. A bit of a slow burner, but it's still fully engaging and tense. This is a film where the taut and meticulous pacing work in its favor, as opposed to detracting. Once you get all of the puzzle pieces, you have that awestruck sort of eureka moment. It's the kind of movie you could rewatch to see all of the cogs and how they work into the conclusion. Plus it's the sort of spectacle I personally would rewatch just to enjoy again.
If Arrival has any weaknesses, I'd say it'd be that I think much of the cast is underdeveloped. Like Renner and Whitaker's characters feel sidelined in favor of Adams's--who is very well fleshed out. But it doesn't really subtract from the rest of the film I feel. The dialogue is solid, felt a bit movie-speak and alien to me, but not too much. The ending is exceptional and very satisfying.
Arrival is a thoroughly cerebral sci-fi flick. If you like more brainy sci-fi (like Black Mirror), then it's up your alley. I adored it and absolutely recommend it. Guess I really need to watch Sicario at some point. Arrival gets a 10/10.
Master-class
Summary:
Arrival is an excellent film with a phenomenal narrative, neat premise, pristine pacing, exceptional acting, great visuals, and great music. Despite the characters and dialogue not being perfect, it's still top-notch and a bloody good time worth the perfect rating.
(originally posted: 7/20/2017)
Arrival is a 2016 science-fiction blockbuster flick. Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker, directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners, Enemy). Met with critical acclaim and considered one of the year's best, it's about the mysterious arrival of twelve alien ships (which look like floating, metallic bananas) and how a translator tries to piece together what the aliens are saying and avoid an interplanetary catastrophe. I got sold on this movie by Chris Stuckmann (great movie reviewer on YouTube; be sure to check him out if you haven't already). Been a while since I reviewed a live-action movie, though I have a few more reviews in the oven right now. So how is Arrival, in my opinion? Extraordinarily good.
Visually, Arrival is very low on special effects but still looks really great in that regard. Wardrobes and sets are slick, the heptapods are well designed and Lovecraft-reminiscent (never a downside). In terms of audio, the musical score is also somewhat minimal but strong nevertheless, heightening the atmosphere. The acting is excellent. Nobody feels like they're playing a character, and Adams gives a superb leading performance.
Arrival's plot is its centerpiece, and as such had to be good if this movie was to hold up. It's brilliant, with excellent pacing. A bit of a slow burner, but it's still fully engaging and tense. This is a film where the taut and meticulous pacing work in its favor, as opposed to detracting. Once you get all of the puzzle pieces, you have that awestruck sort of eureka moment. It's the kind of movie you could rewatch to see all of the cogs and how they work into the conclusion. Plus it's the sort of spectacle I personally would rewatch just to enjoy again.
If Arrival has any weaknesses, I'd say it'd be that I think much of the cast is underdeveloped. Like Renner and Whitaker's characters feel sidelined in favor of Adams's--who is very well fleshed out. But it doesn't really subtract from the rest of the film I feel. The dialogue is solid, felt a bit movie-speak and alien to me, but not too much. The ending is exceptional and very satisfying.
Arrival is a thoroughly cerebral sci-fi flick. If you like more brainy sci-fi (like Black Mirror), then it's up your alley. I adored it and absolutely recommend it. Guess I really need to watch Sicario at some point. Arrival gets a 10/10.
Master-class
Summary:
Arrival is an excellent film with a phenomenal narrative, neat premise, pristine pacing, exceptional acting, great visuals, and great music. Despite the characters and dialogue not being perfect, it's still top-notch and a bloody good time worth the perfect rating.
(originally posted: 7/20/2017)
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