The Arrival (1996)

People are voting emotionally.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

The acting in this movie is really good.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

You know history is always interesting when you look back on things. I remember going into this movie with my family to see it. But the thing was I never seen any previews or trailers for the film nor did I recall ever hearing about The Arrival until we arrived at the theater to see it.A movie that cast Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Schiff, Ron Silver, Teri Polo and many more. It still amazing to me how they all got cast for this movie but they were the only ones who could have brought this movie to attention.The Arrival brings us the good old 90s Sci/FI story telling along with a thriller feel to it as well. The movie just actually features enough interest and the characters were actually important to the plot.The music in the film can be tense at times but it matches the whole feel of the movie. The acting is actually good, there were some comedy bits that I remember everyone in the theater laugh and it help keeps the movie interesting. One of the films that unless you were in the theater when it was release it's not easy to describe because the film was just one that quite unexpected and you never know what would happened next because it had you on the edge of your seat It just one of those rare movies that you have to just sit down and watch to better understand it because only a few words can best fit it.If you enjoy 90s movies or are looking for those movies that you can't guess at then give this one a shot you might be surprised how it turns outI give the Arrival an 7 out of 10

While the monumental and most expensive alien invasion picture of 1996 was declaring our independence, a small budget sci-fi thriller overachieves with an intriguing storyline and a well-written script. David Twohy, a screenwriter ("Waterworld," "The Fugitive") makes his feature debut as both a writer and director with "The Arrival." It's a lean piece of writing that moves quickly, and has some unexpected twists along the way. Those who crave conspiracy theories and cover ups, your time will not go to waste.Radio astronomer Zane Ziminsky (Charlie Sheen) believes he's picked up a cosmic noise that signals extraterrestrial intelligence. But after turning over the tape to his boss, Zane loses his job, his girlfriend gets transferred, and his once partner is found dead. Zane's desperate search for answers leads him to a mysterious power plant in Mexico generating much more than just electricity, and run by people who are not what they appear to be. The film's main strength arises from Twohy's writing, which manages to maintain decent dialogue, even when the plot mechanics take over. The movie never sinks into the realm of straight-to-video disaster. Sheen isn't ideally cast in the role of a scientist, but he is respectable and maintains a high level of intensity. The responsibility for the movie lies fully on Sheen's shoulders, and he carries the burden admirably. A overachieving low-budget sci-fi film with an interesting premise that is hampered by only a weak ending.

Despite all his craziness, I've continued to enjoy Charlie Sheen. He has a comedic spark with a level of sarcasm that works well in idiosyncratic roles. In this one he plays one of those government investigators of messages from space. One day he and his partner, played by Richard Schiff formerly of "The West Wing," receive one of those sounds that has some pretty serious implications. As is the case with many a sci fi film, the plug is about to be pulled by the government, due to budget cuts. Soon he is fired and goes rogue with the help from a street-smart kid from his neighborhood. Soon the Feds start to make their presence known. Schiff is killed and the laboratory is decimated. This leads to Sheen making a trip to Mexico after he gets wind of a possible source of the transmission. While there a series of events make it obvious that he and another scientist are being targeted. There is an ugly incident involving scorpions. He continues to investigate, risking it all, and makes a major discovery. This is a very intense film with lots of surprises. It is intelligent and Sheen makes a worthy protagonist. It also has a real lesson for us about the implications of what we are doing to ourselves.

Seems like quite a few give The arrival negative reviews. Some people always complain. You have to use your imagination while watching this movie.First of all: I liked Charlie Sheen. He plays a nerd with a goatee who is a little bit like MacGyver. He can construct a lab in his attic with duct tape and some stuff bought at the local store. That is cool. He has a street wise attitude also. I also like the paradox that Charlie Sheen is a super smart astronomer. It makes my mind itch in a good way. Granted, he has a standard expression that gets a bit tiresome at times, but you'll just have to live with it!! After all, you haters almost got to see Sheen killed by a collapsing bath room floor. That was a great scene!Secondly: There is a love story here that I liked. I don't find the woman particularly attractive and I don't like her business attitude, but there are some tender scenes. Thirdly: I liked the aliens and how they had infiltrated society and dressed up in human skins. It was cool that one of the aliens in Mexico had the same face as Sheen's boss. What was really good was that the aliens had an agenda that they never gave up, and the boss explained that they just did in 10 years what humans would do themselves in 100. The aliens can also jump 5 meters into the air. So this is waaaay cooler than Independence day. Here, we see smart aliens, and we actually care about the main character.