Review of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) by Critic M — 26 Feb 2014

What a brilliant film and an enduring piece of pop culture. "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" is so grand in scale and is so imaginative. The cast is wonderful, Richard Dreyfus, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon and Francois Truffaut. Spielberg wrote and directed this masterpiece and to this day says that putting together the last 20 minutes of the film was one of the most difficult things he's ever done in cinema.

"Close Encounters" is just a large film that is incredibly well made with amazing special effects, a magical musical score by the iconic John Williams and out of this world production design and direction.

If I had to play critic and nitpick one part of the film, I'd have to say my only complaint is (Spoiler Alert*) when the mothership lands and they engage in sharing musical notes. I thought it was a bit much and silly that the mothership made the sound of a tuba. The whole back and forth song between the ship and earthlings that lasted a minute or so lessened the tension that had been building up for the last 20 minutes. I thought that would have certainly been omitted in the directors cut, but I suppose that is Spielberg's vision. I think it would have been a lot more epic and mysterious had the military played the 5 notes and the ship doors just accepted the gesture and opened their giant door. Despite that part, this film is still magnificent and worthy of a 5 star vote. This is a must see for movie buffs and sci-fi fans!