Arrival

“What is your purpose on Earth?” This is the urgent question which must be answered in the film “Arrival.” When 12 huge otherworldly objects appear in locations around the world, tensions rise as various governments scramble to understand the intentions of the mysterious beings within. How will the world respond to the arrival of these creatures? How will it change those who encounter them?

In this review, I will not be directly addressing the existence or nonexistence of alien life. This Web site delves into that question very thoroughly HERE. Instead, for the sake of this review, I will just present the premise of the movie, as it is, without further discussing the plausibility of an alien encounter.

“Arrival” is a thoughtful science fiction drama from the director Denis Villeneuve. There is much buzz about this film, as it has a different pacing and flavor than most modern movies in the “alien encounter” genre. In many ways, it is far less about the creatures themselves than it is about the human characters. This will result in some viewers being pleasantly surprised, but may leave others with a feeling of having been cheated out of the “typical” alien movie experience they expected. That is not to say that the movie is dull, for it is filled with tension and a taut feeling of urgency throughout. There is also much in this movie that is tinged with melancholy, starting in the opening scene, which is beautifully scored with one of the most moving orchestral songs I have heard. While some could call this opening sequence “depressing,” I found it to be very real, as most of us can relate to profound grief and loss.

“Arrival” is wonderfully scored and beautifully filmed, often in subdued tones and lighting and without the usual false gloss of CGI. This made the visuals appear very authentic and allows the viewer to believe the setting. To my untrained eye and ear, the protocols and methods used at the military base camp seemed believable. These aspects combined so that with such a believable setting, I had no problem simply immersing myself in the story.

It was likewise with the characters. I found them and their motivations to be very believable. The acting, especially from Amy Adams as linguist Dr. Louise Banks, is quite good. I’m glad that it was outstanding, for the great brunt of this movie revolves around Dr. Banks and her efforts at understanding the language of the alien visitors, and also on her relationship with her translating partner Ian Donnelly (played by Jeremy Renner). Although he and other actors do a fine job, the story is really not about their characters… it is about Dr. Banks and what she knows (and learns) about language.

It is strange that I found the setting and the characters so believable, when there is so much of this movie that is simply beyond belief. I just allowed myself to accept the implausibility of the very questionable science for the sake of watching the story unfold, and I recommend that you do this as well, if you choose to watch “Arrival.” Picking this film apart will just leave one feeling cheated or tricked. Remember always that it is science FICTION unfolding on the screen, and you will enjoy this film much more. There will be many who will leave the movie immediately wanting to watch it again, so they can better understand it. And there will be some who were so confounded by the last act of the story that they will utterly dismiss the whole thing. That is the way it often is with this genre.

The science of language figures heavily in the story. Various quotes in the movie indicate that language is considered to be “the cornerstone of civilization.” I felt a check in my spirit as I heard this, for I know that the Chief Cornerstone is Jesus the Christ (Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6). In “Arrival,” language seems to be elevated and lifted up to almost god-like status, even to the point that the movie indicates that if we could completely understand another’s language, it could actually change the way a person experiences the world… even to the point of breaking natural law.

There is also the supposition that if we could all just understand one another, everything would be peaceful and well in humanity. There was already a time in the past when everyone did understand each other, and it did not lead to peace, but to pridefulness (Genesis 11:1-9). God has chosen to divide us into different people groups and diverse languages for a reason, and the very fact that He has done so shows that a universal language is not the answer. God has used the ability to speak another’s language as a sign and testimony for the furtherance of the Gospel, such as the various “tongues” or languages of foreign visitors spoken by the believers in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12), but take note that God did not choose to re-unify people into one common language at that time or now. The hope of peace will not come from humankind’s ability to understand one another, but can only come from a relationship with the Prince of Peace.

The film’s characters have placed their hopes in the wrong things. Although God is not attacked or disputed blatantly in spoken word, as in many science fiction films, several elements of this movie show that the characters have placed their hopes in the false god of language, the flawed hope of peace through human effort, and the feeble ability of humans (and aliens) to manipulate natural law and do things that only God can do. These characters have placed their hopes in these fruitless things and do not acknowledged the living hope that can be found in Jesus.

However, I was surprised to find a powerful positive message in this movie. Human life is shown as being important and worthwhile, even if flawed or short-lived. The ramifications of divorce are seen as a child misses her father. A character chooses to embrace life’s difficulties, despite pain, accepting the bad for the sake of the good. This story deeply explores grief and loss, eventually leading to the question, “Was it worth it?” In narration, the lead character says, “It is our days that define our story.” In many ways, this is true. How will we choose to live out each day of our lives? If we had a chance to know the outcome, would we change anything?

It is unfortunate for the characters in “Arrival” that the day by day trials and joys of their Earthly lives are all they have. No wonder people cling so much to this world and its temporary pleasures. No wonder there is such fear when something disrupts or threatens that life. But we can have so much more! We can have not only a Helper in the griefs of this Earthly life, and a Friend with which to rejoice in the small or great joys of each day, but we can have the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. We do not have to place our hope in questionable science, or in sinful humanity, or in fantastical abilities, but in the One who died for us.

The characters in “Arrival” urgently seek the answer to the question, “What is your purpose on Earth?” They go to great lengths in an attempt to understand the aliens’ intentions upon their arrival. If only there were the same efforts made by people today to address the much more urgent question about Jesus. “What was His purpose on Earth?”

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This is a well-made and entertaining movie with little of moral concern for mature believers, but like most science fiction movies, it has a false humanistic worldview of reality and misplaced faith which could confuse some viewers.

Content of concern

Language: The movie is rated PG-13 for “brief strong language,” but as the descriptor says it is quite brief, being one instance of “holy f***.” There are two careless uses of God’s name, one use of “bastard” and one of “hell.”

Violence: There is the looming threat of war and retaliation throughout the film, especially from the Chinese. Brief scenes on television portray looting and violence in the streets. There is an explosion and an implied gun battle (seen, but not heard).

Sexual content: The film is blissfully free of sexual content. The only matters of even mild concern in this area are a relatively low shirt worn by the female lead in several scenes and her bare shoulders which are seen briefly. Despite being an attractive woman, the female lead is never sexualized in this movie.

Other: Alcohol (wine) is consumed in a few scenes, and in one of these it appears the drinker may be slightly intoxicated. An emotional scene takes place at a hospital death bed. There is a close-up of a physician drawing a test tube of blood. Strange alien creatures are shown. The news reports that “a Pentecostal religious sect” has set fire to their compound because they believe a prophecy has been fulfilled. A right-leaning video blogger is shown briefly and negatively in an frustrated anti-government rant.

Violence: Mild / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: None

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