We start the new year with a good old Sci-Fi film by Denis Villeneuve. "Arrival" is about linguistics professor Louise Banks, who leads an elite team of investigators when gigantic spaceships touch down in 12 locations around the world. As nations teeter on the verge of global war, Banks and her crew must race against time to find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. Hoping to unravel the mystery, she takes a chance that could threaten her life and quite possibly all of mankind.

Quite intriguing, don´t you think? Well, apart from the obvious attraction of the storyline, the film features a marvellous Amy Adams in the main role. What I particularly enjoy about this film, though, is the fact that, despite being a science fiction movie, it does not aim to challenge your senses, but rather your mind. If you expect to see major fights and action scenes, you will definitely be disappointed.

Nevertheless, you should give it a chance, as Villeneuve and the screenwriter Eric Heisserer created a fully functioning, visual, alien language! The special effects are on point and the look of the aliens is actually quite compelling. The cinematography is also beautifully executed and the music score will most likely seduce you.

All in all a thought-provoking, incredibly intelligent sci-fi film.