LOVED IT!!! Smart and suspenseful, it captures everything a sci-fi film should be: The sudden arrival of scientifically advanced technology forces philosophical questions for which we were unprepared. Amy Adams plays linguistics professor Louise Banks, who is tapped by the US Army to decipher the language of an advanced race who’s sudden and unexplained arrival on Earth makes war hawks around the globe more than a little nervous. Jeremy Renner ably plays theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly, but seems to be quite quickly and noticeably just a foil for Banks. This is a film about our approach to unknown entities, our conception of what makes a good life, and our fundamental understanding of time; those looking for a fast paced drama with explosions and effects will be disappointed. Arrival is simply better than all of that. It could probably use a little bit fewer Amy Adams agape close-ups. Yes, we get how awestruck everyone is. Despite being incredibly high-minded in its use of theoretical physics and philosophy of time, Arrival never loses itself in its braininess. It reminds me of my favorite philosophy professor elegantly explain arguments so even the most novice student understands, which is to say, I could watch Arrival many times over and still be mulling the core questions proposed. You must see this film.