New review

"It turns a beautiful provocative allegory into the kind of science-fiction that can bump your whole worldview off balance".

Anchored by an internalized performance from Amy Adams rich in emotional depth, this is a grownup sci-fi drama that sustains fear and tension while striking affecting chords on love and loss.

'Arrival' is a big, risky, showy movie which jumps up on its high-concept highwire and disdains a net. And yes, there are moments of silliness when it wobbles a little, but it provides you with spectacle and fervent romance.

"It?s not impossible to give audiences both a puzzle-box narrative and an exploration of life choices and what it means to be human, but the balance just doesn?t play here".

To enjoy the film's arresting musings on language, time and how much we can ever understand others, you'll have to close your eyes and ears to the wealth of schlocky hokum surrounding them.

The extraordinary success of 'Arrival' is that it combines its bravura style and grand sci-fi questions with tremendous emotional intelligence and a heart so full it?s ready to burst.

"'Arrival' becomes an unexpectedly moving rumination on life?s bigger questions by its end. While it looks to other worlds, its main pleasure turns out to be the most intimate of questions".

"It?s a movie designed to simultaneously challenge viewers, move them and get them talking. For the most part, it succeeds".

Adams draws on her gift for making each and every moment quiver with discovery. The actress is alive to what?s around her, even when it?s just ordinary, and when it?s extraordinary the inner fervor she communicates is quietly transporting.