The actual Arrival; space alien vessels coming to Earth à la Independence Day; is intriguing. It’s the stay that grows tedious. The beings, which resemble monstrous octopuses, aren’t necessarily out to exterminate but to teach us their language, which does little in the way of tension.

The back and forth lessons between Team America, led by linguist Louise Banks, and the aliens are silly. The speed at which we begin to learn their language and teach them ours seems unrealistic. The time-bending plot revelations that come out of it don’t seem to make much sense.

my rating : 3 of 5

2017