Customer Ratings & Reviews

Very creative, well thought out. Very enjoyable movie.

Great sci-fi. Thought provoking. Great performance

Arrival is an experience I've felt with very few films in my lifetime. It's a masterpiece on every level. From the absolutely brilliant performance of Adams, to the stunning score, to the beautiful writing, to the absolute gorgeousness with which Denis Villeneuve delivers this story. Every aspect of the film is masterful, brilliant, and entirely absorbing. It is an epic on the grandest and most intimate scale. A story about a woman and a world in crisis, Villeneuve and co. have found a universal story that shows the many brilliant, terrible, wondrous, and tragic aspects of humanity and the ways in which we communicate and connect with one another. Every moment feels like a rediscovery/discovery of the flaws, delicacies, intricacies, and beauties of beings.

The movie wasn't really what I was expecting since I didn't read any details of reviews before watching it. It was much more of a cerebral sci-fi story than the typical alien movies that have come along in recent years. My (uninformed) expectations were let down a bit since I was hoping for a more standard alien movie. The video itself was a bit disappointing as well - the movie just didn't have deep blacks in dark scenes. Anyway, if you feel like a more traditional sci-fi story without the focus on winning back the planet from aliens, I'm sure you'll like it. It's good, solid, sci-fi if that's what you're in the mood for.

It's not often a film comes along and unquetionably becomes an instant classic. Such a powerful, haunting, and triumphant film that will shake you to the very core. But this isn't Independence Day... This is a thinking-person's film that challenges you to the very end. Smartly written and expertly directed, I only wish I could forget the film so I could experience it for the first time all over again. The Blu Ray is well made, with a strong picture quality--though a bit soft in places and the black levels aren't quite strong but it's the intended look of the movie--and excellent soundtrack that will draw you into the movie. Powerful, haunting, and triumphant merely scratch the surface of the genius that is Arrival.

If you like your typical pew pew shoot lasers at the bad alien movie, then this movie is not for you. But, if you like a movie that asks and then answers questions of "How would we communicate with other life forms when they show up on our front door step?" Then I would suggest you pick this movie up and watch it closely. Amy Adams does a superb job of drawing you in with her quiet speech and mannerisms and convincing you that we could figure out how to communicate with other life forms with even our current level of technology. Leave your universal translators at home for this one. I give it a strong 5/7. Enjoy!

'ARRIVAL" is a good movie so far, as I had to stop in the middle of it (my mother was watching and it was late, but will continue to watch) It is a thinking INDEPENDENCE DAY-CLOSE ENCOUNTERS type movie, with aliens visiting Earth, but in a "nice" way. Nominated for 8 academy awards (wish Adams was nominated for best actress). The best price for this bluray was at BEST BUY (name tells the truth). And love it when movies have either DTS:X or ATMOS now. Makes a difference. BUT still soundss good in 5.1 DTS and in 7.1 sound. If you like SCI-FI, you will like this one. Still same pirce at Best Buy, BUY it.

I originally saw Arrival in a movie theater. I am into Sci-Fi and wanted to get the full impact of the movie on a large screen. This movie was not a disappointment. The feasibility of alien life somewhere in the universe is still a possibility in my mind. The subtext of this movie as one of the lead investigators and her life as it unfolds is wonderful. This movie will not disappoint. And on our 43" TV at home and 55" TV at the lake house we received the same spectacular viewing, There was so much more that I found I had missed in the theater, that I am very glad we purchased this movie for home to catch the subtle subtext. I like both Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner and they were great in this movie.

I really enjoyed the movie. I liked the intrigue and wonder at discovery. I liked the fact that it wasn't another space battle type movie. I understand not all potential alien encounters will be peaceful and not all aliens will benevolent. However, this example shows a possible scenario of a peaceful outcome. I do think it is kind of a worn out cliche to think that aliens are going to come down, and tell us we all need to work together or we will be destroyed. That's why I didn't care for the ending. Basically, they came from wherever to tell us this, and then went on their way.

Didn't really like this the first time I watched it, but watched it a couple more times and it grew on me. The over-all idea of it is pretty interesting, but it's a bit lacking in "wow". I kind of hoped more would happen, but it mostly sets you up to think about what will happen after the time period the movie covers is over. I would definitely recommend watching it, then letting it sit for a while, then watching it again.

This movie is a film for those who like science fiction that makes you think. There are plenty of clues hidden in the story and concepts that you need to learn and keep track of if you wish to understand it. Action is there but not grandiose. Thinking logically will get you through it and leave you to ponder questions long after it has ended.

This is easily one of those films that will become Epic. It is a slow grind towards the infinite, what if. Exploration into space and the arrival of an alien source here on earth are all addressed within one film. All of the actors captured their role perfectly. My only gripe is that Forest Whitaker's accent is fairly difficult to understand, however, he makes his points perfectly. All of the other characters and the roles are well-balanced and well supported. I will definitely return back to this film to capture and collect any points that I did not get the first time. It is a lot deeper than it looks on the surface. Must watch!

My wife read the Ted Chiang book that this movie is based upon. She appreciated the movie itself but noted that it deviated significantly from the book. Not like deviations where it tried to make up for the internal dialogue that books are afforded through words, just deviations that did not follow the plot of the short story. The deviation didn't hurt the film at all and it was still a really well-done and well-thought out film. If you're looking for an action packed quick moving alien invasion movie, this is not for you. If you're looking for a thoughtful presentation on human society, this movie definitely has the depth you want.

Arrival is a great antidote for Hollywood's "the Aliens are here, mount up and kill them before they kill us" rut they've gotten into. Be forewarned, if you are looking for a shoot em up film, this is not that movie. This is a cerebral film and, while the approach to linguistics isn't great, the premise holds up. The movie builds tension and invests you in the characters in a manner we more used to seeing in a drama/thriller set without any science fiction background. From a visual standpoint, the movie is fantastic and gives me hope that Blade Runner 2049, the director's next project, actually has a chance at being great.

I spent almost an entire week trying to get my hands on one of these blu-rays spanning several trips to several Best Buy’s and tens of miles, however I am happy to say that this film was well worth the wait. This film brings so much raw emotion and pure artistic integrity to an already amazing concept. Director Denis Villenueve will be a mainstay in the history of great directors and I can’t wait to see his later work. And it probably doesn’t hurt that is a quality made Blu-ray product.

This film is more "pure" Science Fiction than many of what passes for SciFi these days, which is often more action/adventure (in space, or with aliens, or some other SciFi trope) than SF. There are aliens here, but this film is more of an exploration of the concept of time. (I won't say anything more, to avoid spoilers.) The casual SciFi flick watcher may be a bit confused, but will probably enjoy the film for its other aspects. Veteran SF readers will be pleased. The BluRay has over 80 minutes of Bonus Features (2D only), perusing topics related to the science behind the idea as well as the making of the film.

This movie was not at all what I had expected. That said I did enjoy the movie and found that it left me thinking a lot about the overall theme of the story itself. Do yourself a favor after watching this movie on disc and take a look at some of the extras on the disc which help explain the writer's view point and the director's challenges in putting the movie together. After looking at the extras you will have a much better appreciation of the effort that went into making this movie.

I missed this one in the theater so I was very please to see it released on Blu Ray so quickly after the theatrical release. The story and its presentation on film is nothing short of mind bending and in great form you don't realize until the end what is when and when is what. This a thinking persons SciFi film so don't expect blasters and explosions in space. I've actually watched it 3 times to "get it". Beautiful cinematography, direction, and performances. Great video and audio transfer to Blu. This one will have you scratching your head. Highly recommended!

This is what sci-fi needed to breathe some fresh air into the genre. This was an intelligent film that doesn't need violence to push its narrative. The blu-ray is pretty fantastic, especially in the audio department. If you aren't utilizing an SVS subwoofer in your home theater, you need to, and then put in this disc. The sound design of this film tells its own story, and it has a lot to say. Yes, the image is a little dark, but that was an artistic decision that works very well. We are kept in the dark, just as the characters are kept in the dark.

A science fiction film akin to interstellar, but if interstellar is bombastic, arrival is its intimate counterpart. Also it's nice to see two major recent "blockbuster" films have a strong focus on science. And while interstellar has a focus on time dilation and physics...and...5th dimensions, arrival is more focused on linguistics.