Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

User Review

• 

  TheMovieDiorama

  9 / 10

  Close Encounters of the Third Kind is both mysterious and benign as its enigmatic extraterrestrials. This is a review of the theatrical cut. However after watching this spectacle, both the special edition and director's cut will be viewed in the future. Wow. Spielberg often falls short when venturing into sci-fi, but his competence and creativity strongly towers over the film making in one of the best of the genre. An ordinary man witnessed the extraordinary as he spectates unidentified flying objects, where his life changes forever. Forget about the outstanding visual effects that have aged incredibly well. Put aside the relatively simple plot, that actually becomes thematic the more you digest its content. This is Spielberg making some of his finest work within his aggressively extensive filmography. There is a ludicrous amount of context to divulge that transforms a standard family blockbuster into a piece of high contemporariness which has stood the test of time. Illustrating a marital breakdown, conveying Christian allegories through a subjective experience, humanity yearning for answers suggesting we've peaked as a race and actively seek new technologies. The astonishment that was bestowed upon me as the film continued was nothing short of masterful. It had my undivided attention throughout. Spielberg maintains mysticism and tension in the first two acts, which culminate to an awe-inspiring finale that simply takes your breath away. The perfect use of lens flares, long takes and visual effects results in what is a technically perfect film. Acting was decent, with Dreyfuss garnering the majority of screen time, making the characters as human as possible to juxtapose the alien lifeforms. Some character choices for Roy were unnecessary, particularly a certain kiss, that ultimately perceived him to be unlikable. An unfortunate consequence for the protagonist that prevents us from becoming emotionally invested in him. Alas, the rest of the film is perfect. From Williams' euphoric score to Spielberg's expertly crafted pacing. Close Encounters was close in encountering the perfect rating.

  Like?

  0 member like this review.