The Arrival [a.k.a. Shockwave] (1996)
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Director David Twohy's most famous movie is 2000's Vin Diesel-starring “Pitch Black”, a sci-fi monster movie that was a surprisingly good example of a cliched genre. Less well known is his earlier science fiction film, 1996's “The Arrival”, which also does surprisingly well with another extremely cliched genre – the alien conspiracy movie.
Idealistic radio astronomer Zane Zaminski (Charlie Sheen) believes he has discovered evidence of an extra-terrestrial civilisation in the neighbourhood of Earth. However, when he takes the discovery to his boss Phil Gordian (Ron Silver) Zane is promptly fired. Things get worse when his wife (Teri Polo) leaves him, and he begins to get increasingly suspicious that something sinister is going on. His amateur investigations lead him to a radio station in Mexico which burns down just before his arrival, but he finds another baffled scientist – biologist Ilana Green (Lindsay Crouse) who believes that global warming may be caused deliberately. Eventually he finds evidence for an alien presence on Earth, but he is now being pursued by extra-terrestrial assassins and he has to find some way to announce his discovery to the world.
It is quite a familiar plot, but Twohy manages to produce a reasonably original film from it. He even manages to produce a couple of plot twists that defy viewer's assumptions – taking advantage of their familiarity with the sub-genre. The plot is entertaining, and reasonably plausible – with the possible exception of the alien assassins whose methods do seem a bit too whimsical at times (such as attempted murder by dropping a bath on someone). The script is quite well-written, with reasonable dialogue and some genuine tension.
The acting is a bit average, inevitable considering the obscure cast. It would probably be a better film is someone other than the vaguely irritating Sheen was playing the main role, but he doesn't do too badly. Ron Silver is good as Zaminski's sinister boss, but otherwise there aren't really any notable performances.
For such an obscure film, the special effects are actually surprisingly good – the aliens are composed of some convincing CGI and their underground base is moderately impressive.
In summary, this is a refreshingly strong example of an often mediocre genre. Twohy's script-writing and directing abilities that made “Pitch Black” so much fun are definitely also in evidence here.
Rating : 7½ / 10
DVD Review (Region 2)
Unfortunately the DVD release isn't very good, with a 4:3 picture and a reasonable making-of featurette and trailer are the only significant extras. Region 1 gets a better deal with a widescreen version and the inclusion of the (reputedly rubbish) sequel.
DVD Rating : 4 / 10
All content ©2003 William Marnoch.
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