In case you have never heard of this film, Arrival is an alien film without the over the top action/chaos such as in films like Independence Day. Arrival will require patience. This is a visually stunning film and I suggest to the audience to be patient and enjoy the clever and creative shots. Fans who have previously seen Sicario will be able to appreciate this director.

Lucky enough, the movie trailers for this film showed very little of what the film is about. The only tag line we have ever heard is “Why are they here”…

The film opens up with Louise Banks (played by Amy Adams) who appears to have just given birth to her daughter. We are then shown their life, progressing quickly through a moving sequence. Then we flash to present day where Louise is an expert linguist and lectures professionally.

While she is teaching a class it is soon discovered that earth will change forever. People panic when multiple spacecraft land on earth. Louise is shortly requested to join (and lead) an elite team to investigate further.

Amy Adams provides an outstanding performance (no surprise here, duh!) but we are forced to put up with a couple of characters that really don’t hold any major purpose in the film. There are many moments where I even question Jeremy Renner’s role- I felt he was somewhat wasted as an actor.

Arrival, I must say is a top sci-fi film. As an audience we have questions from the word go and to top it off, the viewer’s questions only pile up as the movie progresses. Even when the film is over you will still be thinking about it- seriously, give it the next day or two. But is that a bad thing?

After thinking about my total score for this review for a couple of days now, I’m pretty sure certain things with the film’s plot (and ending) simply just don’t add up. But then again, I remind myself…. it is a sci-fi film after all.

7.8/10

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Review Written by Peter Walkden