Arrival review – a feast for the senses

‘An expert linguist is recruited by the military to communicate with an alien species and learn why they are here.’

Exploring alien visitors coming to Earth is a hardly a new idea in film, but when it’s this beautifully made, there can be exceptions. Arrival is the latest film from director Denis Villeneuve, who after giving us psychological thrillers in Prisoners (2013) and Enemy (2013), and political action in Sicario (2015) (all excellent films by the way), takes his first foray into science fiction.

Starring Amy Adams as a linguistics professor, Arrival follows a team of experts as they attempt to communicate with a race of extra-terrestrials who have landed in twelve different locations around the world. Helped by theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), the race is on to discover what the aliens intentions are before a global war breaks out.

It’s a fascinating story, and although the basic narrative isn’t that fresh, Eric Heisserer’s screenplay is able to infuse enough originality that it more than justifies its existence. In fact, there’s a major rug pull towards the end which just comes out of nowhere, and to say anymore would spoil what is a great viewing experience and will also enrich repeat viewings.

Those expecting a typical action packed blockbuster will be sorely disappointed. Villeneuve clearly isn’t taking any cues from Independence Day but is definitely looking more towards 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) or even more recently, Interstellar (2014) for inspiration. Arrival is more of a head scratcher; a poignant and thought provoking film that is just as interested in getting us to think than it is to entertain, which it certainly excels at.

He directs confidently and skilfully, feeling no rush as the film runs at a slow and deliberate pace, taking his time in setting everything up as the world slowly comes to the life changing realisation that we are not alone. This is all expertly done, and regardless of the pace, will have you engrossed as the story unfolds. Despite its sci-fi nature, Villeneuve takes a very grounded approach to what a first contact with an alien race might look like. It’s a riveting story and shows the complexities of living in a multinational world where the various world leaders have differing views on how to deal with the “visitors”.

Even with the heavy thinking vibe, Villeneuve makes sure Arrival engages the senses and emotions just as much as our minds. He obviously knows how to create a visually stunning film as the cinematography is breath-taking. One scene, for example, shows our first introduction to these spacecraft’s as a beautiful aerial shot done in one long take. It’s a film full of spectacle which is all elevated by Jóhann Jóhannsson’s haunting and otherworldly score, and some great visual effects that enhance the film, but which at no point, feel like they’re eclipsing the story and characters.

This is all held together by an always excellent Amy Adams who gives an incredible performance. She is the heart of this film and plays a big part in emotionally sucking you into this film. Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker are also good but are easily overshadowed by Adams; the film belongs to her, who without, wouldn’t be as half successful as it is.

‘Regardless of the overfamiliar plot of aliens visiting earth, Arrival is still a well-crafted film worthy of praise.’

With an emotionally rich story that will stay with you long after its ended, a stand out performance from Adams and great cinematography. It’s a film that is surely destined to become and deserves to be, a science fiction classic.