This big budget, somewhat highbrow science-fiction picture ultimately glossed over potentially interesting scientific and technical material in favor of an emotional angle on the material, and also forced me to watch the pile of anti-charisma that is Jeremy Renner.
Despite these issues, as well as extremely unsubtle political plotting and pacing akin to molasses, Arrival is still smart and enjoyable and harkens back to an older form of mature filmic sci-fi exemplified recently by Spike Jonze’s Her. 3 out of 4 stars (Very good).