Arrival
POSTED BY: ecgordon
UPDATED: Sunday, August 27, 2017 21:42
VIEWED: 13443
PAGE 1 of 10
Definitely has made it into at least my Top 10 SF films, maybe the Top 5, but it will take a few more viewings to be sure. Not as good as the story it's based on, but if it was, there would be no question it would be at least #2. I'm gonna go re-read Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life" before I start on my review. I also have a book to review, so no telling when I can finish either.
For comparison, my Top 3 SF films are:
2001: A Space Odyssey
Blade Runner
Serenity
I've seen each of those close to 20 times each, so you'll forgive me for not being able to determine exactly where Arrival will end up on the list just yet.
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Which version of Blade Runner do you prefer?
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The '92 Director's Cut.
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I agree with you to a certain extent EC. Yes, this movie needs a couple of viewings, not that it was confusing in any way because I love how patient the director was in unfolding this story. It's just that the reward, or payoff as Ebert would describe, was not up to the hype.
Of course, that's just my initial reaction to this very personal sci-fi almost instant classic. Yes, it's good, but it was a slight let down, but
99% of this movie is so good. The house was full, not an empty seat to be had, and I felt that everyone was into it, the mystery up until the Big Reveal, when I felt this audible gasp (or was that me) that somehow it wasn't enough. As though they were saying we've come this far for this? It felt real, both Renner and Adams were excellent.....but the best and worst part (if you can call it worst in this gem of a movie) was at the end, I did not see that coming.
Confused!? Well, that's why it needs to be seen more than once (I did miss some of the dialogue - especially when the colonel came to get Dr. Banks at her home in the helicopter). I definitely had some ideas floating around in my head as I watched film, good movies make you think, and I loved the whole mystery and how it unfolded. Far too many movies spell it out for you, for me that's half the fun, and here I got the notion that the director cautiously built his story and layered it like a mason - brick by brick. Mysterious and rather ominous, almost claustrophobic. I loved that feeling, it was as though the audience was asked to suit up and come along. Again direction, but it never felt forced or contrived, quite the contrary, it felt spontaneous and alive. Organic! That's the word I'm looking for.
I will see it again, only because I want so much to completely surrender to this important film. Yes, important because of it's message. Important because it spells out in rather stark terms just how us humans totally botch things up, and how easy it is to undo. Important especially because of our modern times and recent, very recent, history. Bravo with just one quibble.
After a brilliant set up and build up, there was some let down. Gut reactions for me are always a painful process, because I may have missed something, but I really liked the rest of the film.
Therefore, I'm going to see it again.
SGG
Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
Definitely has made it into at least my Top 10 SF films, maybe the Top 5, but it will take a few more viewings to be sure. Not as good as the story it's based on, but if it was, there would be no question it would be at least #2. I'm gonna go re-read Ted Chiang's "Story of Your Life" before I start on my review. I also have a book to review, so no telling when I can finish either.
For comparison, my Top 3 SF films are:
2001: A Space Odyssey
Blade Runner
Serenity
I've seen each of those close to 20 times each, so you'll forgive me for not being able to determine exactly where Arrival will end up on the list just yet.
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Hmm. I turn 51 on Tuesday, and I was debating treating myself by seeing this film. Now I think I will. Thanks, troops. Shiny!
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My review: http://templetongate.net/arrival.htm
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I must say EC, this is your best review I've ever read. So much so, that it gave me a new perspective on the film. Now I've always prided myself on picking up on the details of a movie, especially one such as this one, making brave choices and resisting the conventional while, at the same time, embracing it. But you've called into question my overall reaction to the ending, and I applaud you for it. Of course, I know this was not your direct intention per se, but you've managed to nudge me to "walk around the painting" as it were.
"Some will likely nit-pick the ending as confusing and inconclusive, but if you pay attention it makes perfect sense."
That sentence meant more to me than anything. It pinpointed my feelings over my "confusion" over the reveal/payoff of the film. But I was looking at it
from a point of view that was out of step with the essence of the movie, which you correctly stated - our relationship to ourselves and others, communication and our concept of time - how we value that precious fleeting element of our lives. It is not the destination, but the journey that elevates and exalts us as humans.
I did get that the passage of time and our relationship to it is key to our development as a race, but I was looking at the impact of the message being lower than our expectation of it. I felt that it did not achieve worthy merit. It is more about taking whatever time you do have, as Louise discovered, and enjoying and appreciating every moment. Sci-fi, especially this kind of film, is supposed to make you think and question human behavior and motivations. Great sci-fi opens minds. It is a commentary on events and social norms, and this film reveals the many possible approaches one could take. Arrival did just that.
I need to take a second look.
SGG
Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
My review: http://templetongate.net/arrival.htm
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Thanks, man, but I'd have to disagree about the quality of the review. I struggled with it for hours and I'm still not satisfied. Maybe in a few years, and after several more viewings, I can revise it to better reflect my opinion. Of course, my opinion could change, as it has for other films at times.
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saw it last night...not one to go to the theater that often..have a nice setup at the house..but the wife was looking for a movie date...probably shouda talked her into Jack Reacher or something.
anyway.. I like the concept that of course the original story sets up, and that more than one movie or TV show (think 'Q' and Picard in the show's grand finale).
anyway...CG has reached the point where they can do most anything they want and the mind is comfy with the images it sees as being real.
what they haven't done with these bleeding heart liberal drama directors is figured out how to create a music score that doesn't scream "Kira knightly depression scene" or that isn't so loud that you get blasted with parts of the score, but then can't hear Amy's little ASMR voicings.
all in all.. i liked the movie, how it handled the concepts, topic.. i won't post on Rotten Maters as i don't want to sully it's perfect score...but I'm not there with it as an all -time favorite.
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My reviews are just a hobby, I'm far from a professional, and there are many times I know I'm not as good as I would like. One thing I try not to do is spoil a film or book, unlike how Gary Westfahl does in the first paragraph of his review at LocusOnline. I'm sure he figured his audience there would have read the short story, but still, that's sloppy, and without any warning either.
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