Review of The Arrival (1996) by Gavin D — 31 Jul 2012

Conspiracies, intrigue, and mysterious encounters- with an intelligent script, The Arrival is sci-fi paranoia at its best.

Charlie Sheen plays Zane Zemenski, a radio astronomer dedicated to searching the skies for signs of extraterrestrial life.

As the film opens, Zane is receiving what he considers to be strong evidence of intelligent life: a radio signal emanating from another galaxy.

But Zane's superior (Ron Silver) doesn't share this optimism. In fact, rather than pursue the discovery, he informs Zane that budget cuts are necessitating letting him go.

The setback adds stress to the already strained relationship he shares with his successful girlfriend, Char (Teri Polo).

Disappointment turns to anger when Zane learns that his ex-employer is discrediting him professionally and denies any knowledge of Zane's discovery.

This standard cover-up scenario sets in motion an intriguing story that involves aliens, infiltration and an edge-of-your-seat about whether or not Zane will find his answers and live to tell.

Writer/director David Twohy has scripted a fine story with a credible scientific premise that blends intelligence, mystery, suspense and frights. Less than breakneck in its pacing, the story still manages to remain interesting with its twists and turns.

A secondary story involving a research scientist (Lindsay Crouse) investigating weather patterns is underdeveloped, but helps our hero unearth secrets without seriously stretching credibility.

Amazingly restrained for a film of this type, the special effects and alien environments are well done and very effective. Used sparingly, they help establish a sense of technological superiority that makes the covertness of their operation all the more creepy. Likewise, the brief glimpses of the aliens' true form adds repulsion to the atmosphere of paranoia that comes with the familiar 'they could be any one of us' scenario.

This is a fine role for Sheen, who, after a couple of strong performances in Platoon and Wall Street, is lately best remembered for his participation in a series of spoof-ish comedies. Capable but vulnerable, Sheen's scientist is more of a thinking man's hero than an indestructible tough guy.

Focused on the story, The Arrival thankfully avoids the usual insertions of sex and nudity; achieving a moderate PG-13 rating in the process. A couple brief shots involving unclothed characters are discreetly framed to get the point across without unnecessary graphicness. This leaves most of the rating as a reflection of the potentially disturbing theme of alien invasion. Impressionable children should stay home.

While some may be disappointed by the open-ended conclusion, others will take heart at the obvious implications of a sequel.