Arrival is a 2016 science fiction film. Directed by Denis
Villeneuve (Prisoners) and starring Amy Adams (The Master), Jeremy Renner (The
Hurt Locker) and Forrest Whittaker (The Last King of Scotland). The film is
adapted from the 1998 novella “Story of your life”.
The film follows linguistics expert Louise (Adams) who is
sought out by Colonel Weber (Whittaker) after Aliens arrive on earth via
several enormous “shells” dotted around the globe. She is enlisted to visit the
shell which arrived in Montana, along with Physicist Ian (Renner), and attempt to
decipher the Alien language, both spoken and written in cryptic symbols.
However, all across the world, other nations are reacting to the alien crafts
in different ways as China and Russia threaten to use more aggressive tactics. Under
the immense stress of translating an unintelligible alien language, Louise also
has to deal with harrowing flashbacks of her daughters short life, which may
just provide the clues to achieving full comprehension of the Heptapod
language and uniting Earth under a new peace.
From the start, it’s clear that Arrival is a thinking man’s alien
invasion film and there will be no exploding landmarks or rampaging monsters. However,
that’s not to say there isn’t a great deal of spectacle on show and Villeneuve’s
proven track record on the arthouse circuit transfers surprisingly well to the bigger
budget. Jaw dropping vistas feature the simplistic alien crafts hovering over
the landscape, fog rolling over the hills or a gigantic shadow being cast over
the ocean. The film is visually astounding and dripping in atmosphere, helped
in no small part by the excellent sound engineering. The alien design, whilst nothing
terribly original, is effective in directing the audiences attention towards
the language of the creatures, frequently vocalised through massive bowel
shaking groans and clicks.
The backbone of Arrival is it’s tone and allegorical messages.
The Alien creatures are more imposing than scary and they have come to help us
rather than annihilate us, despite the paranoia of the warmongering sections of
humanity. It is a rare message indeed in the alien invasion genre and has never
been more relevant than in the current times we live in, reflecting the aggressive
posturing and xenophobia of many modern day nations. The tightrope act of
trying to understand a race despite very little common ground, the potential
for misinterpretation, the arrogance of mankind. These are all extremely
topical themes to draw on and is an impressive adaptation when you consider the
source material was written 18 years ago. What’s also really beautiful about
the film is the micro crisis that Louise faces, woven into the larger doomsday plot.
The flashback sequences which feature memories of her daughter are moving and
poignant and form a beautiful emotional crescendo towards the end of the film
when their true meanings are revealed.
Refreshingly thoughtful and beautifully crafted, Arrival is
not your average alien film in the best possible way. Fitting in alongside
other thought provoking, introspective sci fi gems like Blade Runner (1982),
Contact (1997) or Monsters (2010) the themes and visuals will stay with you for
days if not weeks. If this is Villeneve's audition for big budget, intellectual
sci fi, then Blade runner 2049 is in very good hands.
**** 4 Stars
What did you think of Arrival? How does it rank among other
alien invasion films?
