Arrival Review

And with that, I now have a new #1 movie of the year, Arrival!

Arrival is a movie directed by Denis Villeneuve, who also directed Prisoners and Sicario. It is about a linguist named Louise Banks (Amy Adams) who is recruited by the US military to try and communicate with aliens that have landed in twelve different locations around the world. With the help of Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Louise must learn to decipher the alien language to determine if the alien lifeforms are here for peace or war.

There is a lot to say about Arrival, but I will try and keep it brief and spoiler-free.

First off, this movie is stunningly beautiful. Just like Denis previous films, the landscapes are gorgeous, the colors are vibrant, and you can't help but have your breath taken away scene after scene with the way the camera moves. The very first time Louise and Ian arrive at the alien spacecraft in Montana, you get this swooping helicopter shot that shows the gorgeous landscape of Montana as well as this simple alien spacecraft that is unlike anything seen in other science fiction movies. Most movies have bright lights and intricate shapes on their spacecrafts, but this one just looks like a skipping stone, super sleek and simple. Another gorgeous scene in the movie is the first time Louise and Ian enter the alien spacecraft. When you see them interact with the spacecraft, the expressions on their faces were the same that I had on mine. The amazement and intensity of it made it feel like you were there with them.

There performances in Arrival were outstanding. Amy Adams knocks it out of the park. At the beginning of the movie you learn about her character's past and it is completely heartbreaking. Throughout the movie Amy brings out this subtle broken and helplessness and you can feel the pressure she is under to succeed. With Jeremy Renner's character, you always feel this sense of optimism. Just the look on his face makes you feel like everything is going to be okay and the answers can and will be found.

Another aspect of Arrival I really enjoyed was the score. The score was done by Johann Johannsson, who also did the score for Denis Villeneuve's Prisoners and Sicario. I thought the score did a great job of building up the tension and then would also bring out this sense of peace and tranquility for each scene. It's the first score this year where I sat there and wanted to listen to it over and over again.

The message behind Arrival is also important for the world we live in today. The movie shows the need to communicate and to attempt to understand one another regardless of barriers. It also shows the importance of working together peacefully and not jumping straight to violence.

Arrival is the first movie this year where I am dying to see it again and again. I also want to read and learn as much as I can about it. I want it to consume my life and be on my mind 24/7. The ending of the movie is emotionally devastating and I just want to experience it over and over again. I just want to feel that shock and awe.

Everyone should run out and see Arrival and see it on the biggest screen possible. It is stunningly beautiful, the story is emotion and important, the performances are fantastic and the score is absolutely lovely. Please go see this movie.

5 Stars