When people think of sci-fi films or shows, they immediately think something along the lines of Star Trek/Star Wars/Firefly/Halo-like universe. Something with aliens, space travel, exploration, etc.
I believe there should be different sub-genre's of sci-fi; one for the generic futuristic sci fi setting we are all used to... and others that explore potential scientific approaches to first contact. Unlike Star Trek's flawed trope of universal translator, Arrival explores the simple incidence of that first contact. There is 0 action, there is almost no real PROGRESS in any goals other than communicating in the entirety of the movie. The film feels slow paced but you still felt the suspense. The soundtrack's ominous and eerie tone is also perfect in how they portray things we had not considered about some sci-fi aspects such as gravity manipulation.
All the while of exploring a great sci-fi theme, it tells a beautiful story of the character Louise which I believed could have been a separate movie of its own considering how many people can relate to that sort of thing.
I believe there should be different sub-genre's of sci-fi; one for the generic futuristic sci fi setting we are all used to... and others that explore potential scientific approaches to first contact. Unlike Star Trek's flawed trope of universal translator, Arrival explores the simple incidence of that first contact. There is 0 action, there is almost no real PROGRESS in any goals other than communicating in the entirety of the movie. The film feels slow paced but you still felt the suspense. The soundtrack's ominous and eerie tone is also perfect in how they portray things we had not considered about some sci-fi aspects such as gravity manipulation.
All the while of exploring a great sci-fi theme, it tells a beautiful story of the character Louise which I believed could have been a separate movie of its own considering how many people can relate to that sort of thing.