Movie Review: Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve
(Four Stars)
There are days that define your story beyond your life. Like the day they arrived.
Excellent hard science fiction. Despite that–and several Academy Award nominations and a Nebula and Hugo Awards–it was ignored at the box office. Probably because it was too cerebral.
Everything you do in there, I have to explain to a room full of men whose first and last question is, “How can this be used against us?” So you’re going to have to give me more than that.
Amy Adams makes the movie. She has the best part, best lines, and despite having only one glamour scene looks believable through it all. Whitaker and Renner stumble through their parts.
“Language is the foundation of civilization. It is the glue that holds a people together. It is the first weapon drawn in a conflict.”
There’s also a spiritual parable quality to Arrival which can’t be ignored. Let each make of it as he or she will.
“Despite knowing the journey and where it leads, I embrace it, and I welcome every moment of it.”
As a Matter of Fancy 
Saw it – liked it. But it suffered from taking too long to get to the point. And Whittaker was hard to understand, something that confuses me in an actor. We turned the subtitles on.
Believe I watched this on cable a few years ago? It was very good. Thanks for the review.