STANDING OVATION! - (10 stars out of 10)
The stage curtains open ...
"I can't describe it. What I'm feeling and what I'm thinking. This means something. This is important."
1977 brought us two game-changers in Sci-Fi movies with "Star Wars" and this Steven Spielberg gem, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". Despite the obvious explosion of the "Star Wars" phenomenon, many back in the day argued that "Close Encounters" was the better of the two films. And, to be honest, they were absolutely correct. Technically speaking, "Close Encounters" was the better "made" movie of the two that was dripping with substance as well as style. Does that mean I personally liked "Close Encounters" more than "Star Wars"? LOL - Let's not get so hasty. That is another story for another review - BUT, this is one of Spielberg's best films in my opinion, and has more than stood the test of time.
Unexplained happenings around the globe have a French scientist named Lacombe and his interpreter, a cartographer named Laughlin, hopping continents researching these events. Events such as a whole fleet of American WWII bombers appearing years after they disappeared in the 1940's, in perfect condition, but with the pilots missing. Meanwhile, in Muncie, Indiana, a little boy named Barry receives a visit inside his home from unknown entities when all of his toys seemingly come to life on their own, to the great distress of his mother, Jillian. Then we join family man, Roy Neary (played brilliantly by Richard Dreyfuss), a local electrician, a lineman who experiences a close encounter with an UFO of his own. Roy becomes obsessed to finding out the truth behind what he experienced and saw, it takes over every facet of his life. As the story unfolds and we learn more, everyone involved are driven to one place where their questions will be answered, one way or another in one of the best moments in cinematic history.
"Close Encounters" is movie magic. Spielberg has given us one of the very best films that places you right into the situation - a perfect combination of paranoia and curiosity. Are we alone, or are we being observed by others from the outer reaches of space? What would we do if we had our own close encounter such as this? Finally, the film gives way to paranoia and becomes 100% fascination and wonder. This movie was perfectly cast and executed. It is impossible not to be sucked in and lose yourself for a couple of hours. There is so much about this one that is memorable and special. The payoff at the end, is more than worth the journey to get there.
There are a few versions of this movie out there, and I've seen them all. My personal favorite is the 137 minute Director's Cut edition released in 1998, and is the one I own. I highly recommend this one at a perfect 10 stars out of 10. This movie has seemed to have lost some of its traction over the years, but I feel it holds up extremely well, even by today's standards. The story is valid, the acting inspired, and the special effects effective. You cannot go wrong with this one.
"I can't describe it. What I'm feeling and what I'm thinking. This means something. This is important."
1977 brought us two game-changers in Sci-Fi movies with "Star Wars" and this Steven Spielberg gem, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". Despite the obvious explosion of the "Star Wars" phenomenon, many back in the day argued that "Close Encounters" was the better of the two films. And, to be honest, they were absolutely correct. Technically speaking, "Close Encounters" was the better "made" movie of the two that was dripping with substance as well as style. Does that mean I personally liked "Close Encounters" more than "Star Wars"? LOL - Let's not get so hasty. That is another story for another review - BUT, this is one of Spielberg's best films in my opinion, and has more than stood the test of time.
Unexplained happenings around the globe have a French scientist named Lacombe and his interpreter, a cartographer named Laughlin, hopping continents researching these events. Events such as a whole fleet of American WWII bombers appearing years after they disappeared in the 1940's, in perfect condition, but with the pilots missing. Meanwhile, in Muncie, Indiana, a little boy named Barry receives a visit inside his home from unknown entities when all of his toys seemingly come to life on their own, to the great distress of his mother, Jillian. Then we join family man, Roy Neary (played brilliantly by Richard Dreyfuss), a local electrician, a lineman who experiences a close encounter with an UFO of his own. Roy becomes obsessed to finding out the truth behind what he experienced and saw, it takes over every facet of his life. As the story unfolds and we learn more, everyone involved are driven to one place where their questions will be answered, one way or another in one of the best moments in cinematic history.
"Close Encounters" is movie magic. Spielberg has given us one of the very best films that places you right into the situation - a perfect combination of paranoia and curiosity. Are we alone, or are we being observed by others from the outer reaches of space? What would we do if we had our own close encounter such as this? Finally, the film gives way to paranoia and becomes 100% fascination and wonder. This movie was perfectly cast and executed. It is impossible not to be sucked in and lose yourself for a couple of hours. There is so much about this one that is memorable and special. The payoff at the end, is more than worth the journey to get there.
There are a few versions of this movie out there, and I've seen them all. My personal favorite is the 137 minute Director's Cut edition released in 1998, and is the one I own. I highly recommend this one at a perfect 10 stars out of 10. This movie has seemed to have lost some of its traction over the years, but I feel it holds up extremely well, even by today's standards. The story is valid, the acting inspired, and the special effects effective. You cannot go wrong with this one.
- BlueBoyReviews
- 4 de abr. de 2023