[Mennonite]

Arrival (2016)

Stick around for the post-credits sequence to see the aliens turn around and obliterate the Earth after translating the word "calamari."


I saw this in the theater and wasn't too crazy about it. Later, I read the novella that it was based on, "Story of Your Life," and was very impressed by it. I enjoyed the movie more on a second viewing; appropriately enough it's a better watch when you know how it ends.

The movie does have a major flaw, however, and that is the way it was filmed. As is all too common with modern movies, almost every scene is shot with a heavy blue filter. This isn't an action packed thrill-a-minute movie, which is fine, but when you film this type of story in dark muted colors it makes for a somewhat somber experience. Outdoors, it's always overcast, indoors every room is as dark as a cave. "Story of Your Life" is bittersweet while "Arrival" is almost melancholy.


My recommendation? Give the movie a shot if it's on, but definitely check out "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang. It's a novella so you can probably read it in less time than it takes to watch the movie.