3 stars out of 5
I haven’t seen a new theatrical release in about five months. After seeing Arrival (don’t ask how), I’m thinking maybe I didn’t miss too much.
Laid up in the hospital, I saw countless commercials for Arrival and interviews with its star, Amy Adams. And I’d think, “Hmm, if I wasn’t laid up in the hospital, I’d probably go see that.” I like thoughtful sci-fi, which this purported to be. Then at last watching the movie (I said don’t ask how!), it had a glacially slow pace — a familiar hallmark of thoughtful sci-fi. Except this was just kind of, well, boring.
Director Dennis Villaneuve (I think that’s spelled right, but current circumstances dictate that I can only type this review on my phone, so cut me a little slack, willya?) must be a big Spielberg fan. There are echoes of both Close Encounters (base camp near big ominous spacecraft) and E.T. (the “bad guys” in intimidating hazmat suits emerging from makeshift tent headquarters). But those movies oozed a sense of wonderment, where Arrival seems too self-serious to really try for that.
Amy Adams — as the translator brought in to talk with aliens — is solid as always (though not Oscar worthy in my humble opinion). A kinder, gentler Jeremy Renner is pleasing as her scientist partner. Forest Whitaker is forgettable as the military dude in charge, and Michael Stuhlberg — as, uh, somebody else in charge? — was much better in Boardwalk Empire and A Serious Man.
The pre-release press told me I’d be blown away by the ending. Alas, I was not. The movie is admittedly well-made and did hold my attention throughout. But it’s so busy tackling love, loss, war, peace, and “can’t we all get along” that it forgets to have very much fun.
Now if I could just figure out a way to see Rogue One….
Jack Silbert, curator