Arrival - When the aliens arrive in peace
Arrival is one of those films that isn't just about science fiction and peace but rather makes you think about much deeper things. The story tells of strange spacecraft landing on Earth and all nations trying to understand why these beings arrived and what their purpose is. Here comes our heroine Louise a linguist, who is asked to decode the alien language so she can communicate with them.
What makes the film special isn't just the idea of aliens but the way it deals with language and time. The film plays on the idea that language can affect the way we think and even our perception of time and that's what happens to Louise when she begins to understand the alien language her entire life changes so surprises in the story make you rethink everything you saw from the beginning as if the film is playing with your mind in a brilliant way.
Other than that, the music and cinematography in Arrival add a strange feeling a blend of mystery and serenity making you feel like you're truly immersed in the film. There's no bad action or explosion scenes but there's psychological tension and clever science fiction. If you like movies that make you think after you've finished, Arrival will surely captivate you and stay with you for a long time.
One of the things that distinguishes Arrival is that the aliens aren't here to invade Earth or destroy humanity. On the contrary they're peaceful and their goal is greater than just a passing encounter. The film reflects the idea that an inability to communicate can lead to fear and misunderstanding and this is precisely what happens between humans and aliens and even between countries that each have a different interpretation of these beings' intentions. The conflict here isn't fought with weapons but with reason and logic and this is what sets the film apart from traditional science fiction films.
Also, the concept of time in the film is brilliantly implemented, as the story doesn't proceed linearly like regular films, which makes you at a certain point understand everything in a completely different way. By the time you reach the end, you find yourself wanting to rewatch the film from the beginning to catch the details you missed. Arrival isn't just a film it's a mental and emotional experience that makes you think about things bigger than just an alien encounter.
Hello friend:
I like your thoughtful analysis of "Arrival"!
You've captured the essence of what makes this film so exceptional - it's not your typical alien invasion story, but rather a profound exploration of language, time, and human connection. I really want to watch it after your review.
I particularly appreciate how you highlighted the film's unique approach to the concept of time-- something about I wrote some post weeks ago: time-- and how it challenges our linear perception of reality.
Your observation about the conflict being fought with "reason and logic" rather than weapons is spot-on. In an era filled with explosive sci-fi spectacles, "Arrival" stands out for its cerebral approach and emotional depth.
The film's suggestion that language shapes thought is both a fascinating linguistic concept (the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis) and a powerful storytelling element. This is one more element makes me wants to watch it, as a teacher and linguist, it is interesting to see how this Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is linked to the movie.
Thanks for sharing this insightful perspective!