6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
Radio astronomer Zane Ziminski becomes intrigued by some strange wavelengths and noises he picks up over his transmitter. When he alerts his boss to his findings, he's immediately fired. Zane decides to conduct an investigation on his own, tracing the sound waves to a Mexican village. After some research, he discovers a power plant that turns out to be the headquarters of some very deadly extraterrestrials. Now he must escape with his proof of the upcoming world-shattering alien invasion before it's too late.
Starring: Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Crouse, Teri Polo, Richard Schiff, Leon RippyThriller | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 80% |
Action | 73% |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 2.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
If I can confirm this signal, if we can find it again, then we will finally, finally know we are not
alone.
There's something special about alien invasion and end-of-the-world feature films and television
series. No matter how good (Independence Day,
Signs, "V"), or how
bad
(Dolph Lundgren's I Come in Peace, The Final Days of Planet
Earth) they may be, the danger, the novelty, and the varied takes on the appearance
of the aliens and reasons behind the invasions always make for fascinating and enthralling
subject matter at best, and morbid curiosity at worst. However, these visitors from beyond rarely
come in peace, for the immediate and unparalleled-in-potential threat of devastation mankind
faces from technologically and, generally, intellectually superior beings makes for more riveting
cinema than does a group of aliens sipping tea at the United Nations. A film that falls neither at
the top end nor the bottom of the spectrum of Alien Invasion films is Director David Twohy's (Pitch Black) The
Arrival, a 1996 film starring Charlie Sheen (Major League) as a
radio astronomer who finds himself in the center of a conspiracy to change Earth's climate for the
benefit of an extraterrestrial race with a bad case of Osteoarthritis.
Zane turns his attention to searching for bonus materials.
The Arrival makes its Blu-ray debut with disappointing results. Presented in 1080p high definition and presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the film never achieves the level of excellence expected of the release. Black levels could stand to be darker and deeper. As it is, they take on a brightness that lends to them a grayish appearance. Most of the image, too, appears washed out, often as if a thin layer of film covers the screen. There are a few pops and speckles seen over the image. It's also smooth and seemingly grain-free. As a result, the image takes on a flat, almost video-like, made-for-TV appearance, looking like anything but a quality cinematic presentation. Fine detail levels range between adequate and above-average but are, generally, far from extraordinary. Background details often appear unusually soft and occasionally smeared. The Arrival's transfer is a disappointment to the say least. Given Lionsgate's history of quality releases, one may hope that this transfer represents the film's intended look, though without anything in the way of bonus materials or access to an original print, there is no way of knowing for sure.
The Arrival features a loud and aggressive DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack that makes use of all the speakers in its arsenal. One thing is for sure, this track is extraordinarily loud at reference volume. Sound effects are heard distinctly throughout the entirety of the soundstage. The signal Zane receives at the beginning of the movie pours throughout both the front three and back four channels to practically devastating effect on the ears at reference volume. The sound effects plays as creepy and chilling, and accompanied by a small bit of bass, the effect, and by extension the scene, makes for a complete and impressive sonic experience. The track doesn't revel in the utmost clarity, but its aggressive presentation impresses nevertheless. Such loud and boisterous sound effects may be heard throughout the picture, and from the radio signals to the use of an alien technology, all will bring a smile to the face. Music, too, plays loudly and distinctly around the soundstage. The Arrival also features sufficient dialogue reproduction. While not the clearest and most lifelike of presentations, The Arrival bombards the listener with music and effects from every corner of the soundstage, making for an enjoyable experience that far overshadows the rather poor picture quality.
This Blu-ray release of The Arrival features only 1080p trailers for Crank 2: High Voltage, The Spirit, Transporter 3, and Hulk vs..
The Arrival is far from the best movie ever made, but it does just about everything right. Offering a plot that never sinks into complete unbelievably, sure-handed direction, a quick pace, and solid performances from the lead characters, The Arrival enjoys a place in the upper-echelon of its genre. Unfortunately, this release from Lionsgate seems like a missed opportunity to introduce new audiences to the film and allow established fans to experience it all over again in the best presentation possible. While the lossless soundtrack is loud and aggressive, the video lags far behind, and the absence of any film-related bonus materials disappoints. Despite the quality of the movie, this Blu-ray release of The Arrival earns only a recommendation to rent.
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