Definitely a story of 3 parts. Part one is regulation SF in the Kubrikian vein - cold, clinical, and probably the most satisfying.
About a third of the way through, the movie makes a rather clunky change of gears and now we have horror fantasy, reminiscent of Stephen King. (Though he had nothing to do with this movie.)
The segue into part three is also rather contrived, and we are now into pure schmaltzy Speilberg, complete with benevolent aliens and swelling musical score.
I found the movie extremely interesting, all the more so because of its imperfections. Had I been there purely for the entertainment to wash over me, I would have found it less satisfying.
Not to be missed by aficionados.
About a third of the way through, the movie makes a rather clunky change of gears and now we have horror fantasy, reminiscent of Stephen King. (Though he had nothing to do with this movie.)
The segue into part three is also rather contrived, and we are now into pure schmaltzy Speilberg, complete with benevolent aliens and swelling musical score.
I found the movie extremely interesting, all the more so because of its imperfections. Had I been there purely for the entertainment to wash over me, I would have found it less satisfying.
Not to be missed by aficionados.