Arrival - Official Movie Review 

Very nice review. I'm only surprised by the fact that no one talked about sound. The sound design, sound editing and music is incredible in this movie.

Alonso saying the story is pretty "straightforward" is the flashing neon sign he DID NOT get it.

A rarely seen intelligent non violent sci-fi movie. 9/10

Did Alonso just give Doctor Strange a 8.8 and Arrival a 7.5?

Best film all year. Any film that has you discussing the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, Lakoff & Johnson's conceptual metaphors, game theory, non-linear time and determinism, facing life given the inevitability of death and loss... is truly magnificent.

[SPOILERS} Really surpised by the lukewarm reception below. For me, the idea of Amy Adams having to decide between the inevitable pain, heartbreak and disconnection that will come from falling for Renner, yet going for it just to feel that happiness again, made it a really poignant reflection on human purpose. Not to mention how slick it is in terms of plot mechanics, setting, thematic links, cinematography and THAT SCORE etc etc etc. The actual plot is easily readable after a a second watch but its depth seems to be obscured on purpose so you only get it if you 'learn' how to read her emotions like Adams does with the language.

Christy appears to have hang-ups about Denis Villeneuve in general. She has complimented Prisoners, Sicario, and this for their cinematography, but is really dismissive of their narrative strengths. She's always like, "meh, it's fine."

I loved this movie 10/10.

One of my five favourite films of the year. I'm really looking forward to his Blade Runner sequel.

There is a classic episode from The Twilight Zone called "The Gift". It's about an alien arrival to Earth & the human challenge to discern whether it comes in peace or to destroy us. "The Arrival" takes this premise to a 2 hour length as Amy Adams plays an expert linguist trying to decode the alien language to determine their intentions. This movie is a cinematic "followup" to Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" & has more in common with that in its cerebral approach than the typical violent alien invasion film. I appreciated the work director Denis Villeneuve did here & frankly like his Spielberg followup more than I did Nolan's controversial Kubrick followup. Although there are still some cliches it can't avoid, I found myself terrified & fascinated by it's premise at the same time. Grade of "A-"

I just saw this movie tonight. I definitely deserves a 9. You should go see it and pay close attention from beginning to end. It's one of the rare complex movies that gives you hints throughout, to help you understand the movie as you watch it. Denis wants to make you think. The ending will pull everything together for you. Best wishes to film lovers, Ted

They should have called Dr Daniel Jackson. He's the best interspecies alien linguist the world has got.

Hard to take these guys seriously when they give this movie a bunch of 7s and give a cookie cutter marvel movie like Dr. Strange a bunch of high 8s.

I LOVED contact! As a little girl, it had a major influence on me.

So stoked for this film, one of the most highly anticipated releases this year for me.

I'm late to the party, But Matt was the only one that got this right. It's great on so many levels. Cinematography, Direction, Script, and Acting. We experience 2 acts where we are being played without even knowing it. And, we have a 3rd act with a real payoff for a change. The movie demands that you see it twice. We have been so lucky to experience so many exceptional Sci-Fi movies in the last few years. Arrival, Ex-Machina, A Quiet Place are the ones that 1st come to mind. These all stand as great movies regardless of genre. I will have to re-watch The Martian & Interstellar to see if I can put them in the same class.

HOLY SHIT ATCHITY WITHOUT A BEARD. I DID NOT EXPECT THAT HAHA

Christy and Alonso are both SENSORS, they need sight and hearing stimulation. Matt is an intuitive, who sees beneath the minimalistic visuals. From now on I will trust Matt only.

It was one of the greatest movies, in regards to philosophical content, that I have ever seen. I'm sure most of it flew right over people's heads. Where the movie best alluded to the philosophy are in the little remarks made about this struggle between language and science. I think language mirrors the subconscious and emotions and images that come from it, in contrast with science, which is external and hard lined.

Awww, is Christy not intelligent enough to get Villeneuve movies? She likes the pretty pretty pictures, but the complex narrative eludes her? Who saw that one coming?

This is one of the most amazing movies I have seen in a While. This movie is so deep it will make you want to see the movie a second time, just to take it all in. I am debating between a 9 and a 10 so I am going Right in the middle and give it a 9,5/10. Best movie of the year so far

It's a story about a mother and her understanding of what time and life bring to her, and humans inability to think and make up memories except in a linear fashion. It talks about time, living in a moment, and returning to a moment that never dies. Time is a sea, not linear. You all missed the damn point. Kurt Vonnegut and Slaughterhouse Five.

I love this movie so much. Just watched it a second time and its still just as moving

Critics act like Denis Villeneuve doesn't have a saying on how this movie feel or looks. It's insane.

This review lacks focus and doesn't do this movie justice. But I get it, I find it hard to express why this movie is excellent. The story, the focus on the main character and the way she handles herself, visuals, etc. Loved it. Refreshing movie.

For whoever is wondering, it is based on the short story "The Story Of Your Life" by Chiang Ted

I have to admit, when I saw the trailer for this movie looked up what I could on it, and saw some info on the short story and it's basic theme, I knew this would be a movie I needed perso ally to read the short story for first prior to watching the movie. Haven't done it yet but I absolutely plan to. Enjoyed the review.

This movie is brilliant. You guys seem to have missed some things apparently, 7 is really low for this kind of filmmaking craft. I mean it is a new scifi classic

I don't see how you could watch the movie and come away being like "eh it was pretty good" it was really fucking good, best movie of the year.

Alonso's shirt is brilliant.

Bravo Alonso, arrival has lower rate then sisters, bravo.

Great film and definitely the best sci-fi I have seen for a while. Make sure you are paying attention for the last 20 minutes or the ending won't make sense.

Listen, I would love to delve into this movie. It's so good. Even thinking back on certain things that happen it makes me wanna see it again. Plus, the whole narration scene was so bizarre when you think about it and exposition-ey but it plays to the theme of language in a meta sense for us as audiences. Love this film.

Woah haven't seen you guys for a while, Matt IS THIN :D

Yo Alonzo, where did you get that badass shirt?

The guy in the middle is the biggest critic ever. Lighten up Alonso I never see him give a good review!

I just saw this. I agree with Christy. The mood and aesthetic was the most interesting part for me. I thought it was great though. I would be interested in reading the short story now.

i can't get over no beard achity. he's more terrifying than any alien could ever be.

Went and saw this last night, absolutely loved it! And ordering the short story

Also someone mention the sound effects and music please, its freaking great. One of the best sounding alien movies, along the lines of close encounters (but better and more modern). 9/10 go see it.

7.5 are you serious? Dear god

Denis Villeneuve has directed eight feature length films at this point. Four of which are in English, and all of them are masterpieces. If you don't know what to expect from a Villeneuve film at this point, you shouldn't be reviewing movies. Period.

Christie, saying there is a narrative mind eff is a spoiler I wish I hadn't heard.

Gonna be watching and reviewing this on my channel tonight! High hopes!

Christy's hair looks lovely. Also Matt rocking the clean shaven. Alonso beautiful as always.

This movie tickled my brain in a most agreeable way. Absolutely worth seeing, so long as you're not expecting a shoot'em up.

Loved this movie. Any movie that "walks out of the theater with you", is worth seeing. In view of recent events, the main topic of this movie, communication and cooperation, is especially relevant.

It's the first time that I see Matt Atchity without his beard... I'm scared!

This film was sort of like what Interstellar wanted to be. It also felt very Arthur C. Clark-ish.

Saw this just last night, the theatre was packed! Says a lot about how good this film is.

The original story is The Story of your life by Ted Chiang, in case anyone was wondering. It's within a short story collection. www.amazon.com/Stories-Your-Life-Others-Chiang/dp/1101972122

I don't think Christy and Alonso are real human beings. This movie was beautiful on every level.

I love Alonso's shirt

Actually, I think linguist John McWhorter has written that language doesn't really affect your thought in that way.

Alonzo's shirt is awesome.

Would a father really leave his dying child? That part didn't make sense to me, sure he might be mad at his wife but the child exists. You wouldn't leave, you would stay to the end just like she did. I guess there are a few people who wouldn't stay but his character throughout the movie was the type to do the right thing. Doesn't make sense, am I missing something?

Ok, so I just finished watching this movie literally seconds ago and it's not the best movie or the worst, it's actually pretty slow but I did like the story line and how it developed with the main characters instead of the cliche fast pace that movies seem to make. At times it was a bit confusing where I thought it was showing her past but it was actually foreshadowing. I wouldn't say it's my fave movie and and amazing one at that but it's not bad, not a lot of action but it did have to do with a lot of internal dialogue with the lead which can be frustrating at time as well.

Can’t take you seriously when you give this movie scores in the 7s...

Movie reminded me of watching a anime with the cinematography.

this sounds very interesting, though the still of Amy Adams holding the sign that says HUMAN is a bit silly (maybe out of context). ....tho their ratings are kinda low for the way they talked about it.

Yeah I was gonna say that the trailers really reminds me of Sphere with a little Close Encounters thrown in. If I hadn't heard that this movie was great, I would have passed on it based on the trailers.

I think it’s interesting that Matt feels people should read the short story it’s based on. Basically - he thinks people should go into the film spoiled?

How come you guys have only 172K subs. Wow ! - I thought you'd have more.

SPOILER : I loved the movie but one thing, The scene where she called the chinese minister and told him what his wife said confused me, IF we are going with the idea that time is non linear, then she should of known what he meant when he told her, because as we have seen throughout the movie, the time displacements that happen is her living in those moments simultaneously. Why is it then at that moment it seems she traveled to the future not remembering the past. Also and this paradox is in most time travel movies, if she needed the future to alter the past then what about the future that was not altered. How was there a union if she didnt call him in the future until he reminded her to alter the past. ahhh so confusing

The concept that everyone can time travel is dull.

Let me guess, Christy calls it a "slog"

Good movie, but not great. I think the ending had some logical problems (sort of like Interstellar.) This movie is about communication-not aliens or how humanity needs to work together. It does make Amy Adams character god-like. In reality this situation would hinge on many people working together, not just one lady.

They're making a sequel called Departure.

I'd normally make some snarky remark about Ben's supposed membership in this group, but considering the utter horror of Election Day, I think I can forgive him. It's not going to be airsickness that has him puking up his guts.

I see Matt has regressed to wearing the Hawaiian shirt.

A "much, much better movie than 'Contact'"? That's saying something.

loved this movie,it blowed me didnt expectedthis ..but contact is still my favorite.

They gave this a 7.5? I guess originality counts for nothing these days...

I haven't watched one of these in a while can someone tell me what happened to Matt he looks SOOO different did he just lose weight?!

Highly recommend.

Good film, but nothing beats Contact.

I like Christy Lemire's black strappy wedge sandalss! Whoo hoo!

Should I watch Dr Strange or this? I didn't go see Dr Strange because I was waiting for the reviews for this.

For whatever reason I couldn't get past some of the choices in sound and music throughout the film. Also, all the sick daughter stuff just didn't do it for me.

Went to see it today, the theater had one seat left, I'll go see it Wednesday morning.

7.3 & 7 5 is a fuking joke. smfh this movie is amazing anything under a 9.0 is bs!

Christie, it's Villeneuve. you pronounce the l's. Like the word, village, same root word. Just letting my French Canadian come out.

What happened to Matt?

wow. a cerebral Villeneuve film ... who would that thunk?

You guys spelled fuck wrong in the name

oh my god matt is like a completely different person with all the weight he has lost

I read the short story, seemed a bit unrealistic. It comes down to the aliens writing actually changing time and space. Doesn't really make sense.

the aesthectic is great.........but there are some plot holes...7 out of 10

this was an A

loved this movie so hard

These people should read some Chomsky.

Ben is in death process

I unsub'ed awhile back, re-subbing now.. don't let me down again.

Critics rarely mention the quality of cinematography which in the case of "Arrival" was bad to the point of being inconsiderate to the viewer. I read somewhere that the AD Bradford Young was striving for a "mundane" look and he achieved it and more. I got a refund from the first theater because the movie was so washed out and dreary I thought it had to be the projection. Theater number 2 was just as bad. This movie looks and feels dreadful and amateurish, and maybe that's what they were going for, but it is rude and painful on the eyes.

Who is this Ben you talk about?

He also did prisoners

Arrival was a HUGE let down. It took such a lame M Knight Shamalon twist toward the end. the revelation was such an easy out. Terrible

Alonso doesn't have kids. If he did his score would be higher.

This look like a Nolan Film

I love the movie!