Analysis - Disclosure Day ups and downs . . .
I found the film a fun watch, and I loved the ideas about language being the key to understanding one another and math and empathy being universal languages. Lots of great things to think about and handled really well within the script. I think the film was really well cast, and the acting is superb. And I swear I heard some sounds from the original Star Trek bridge in the background from time to time and it kind of warmed my heart (I know could be wrong about that but I'd love to be right. . . )
However--why, why, why does a film about the possibility of life somewhere other than on earth have to include a giant salve for religious earth people? This minor subplot with the stigmata and the nuns and this business about the Judeo-Christian God having created the entire universe with the intention that it'd be be shared amongst all the beings he peppered throughout the planets -- I found to be extremely eye-roll inducing. Why would this ONE specific guy be running every show everywhere? Do all the extraterrestrials know "him" and all his stories too, or if they come to earth will they be greeted by bands of religious zealots who'll round up them for conversion in the usual earthly violent manner? Rather than resorting to bible-ish tropes (the "technology vs the cross" scene, naming a main character "Noah," the Adam and Eve-ieness of the child "experiencers") the film could've added more taut thriller bits or spent more time securing some of the Jane- or Scanlon- or device-related ends that were left a little loose. Can Spielberg (who wrote the story) not imagine anything outside of the western-style god business or is he such a strong believer he won't write an alternative for fear of being smited (or is it smote)? And honestly, does every alien have to look like ET--? Oh...I'll leave that for another rant -- and in the meantime rate this film 7 out of 10.