The Arrival (1996)

Zane, an astronomer, discovers intelligent alien life. But the aliens are keeping a deadly secret, and will do anything to stop Zane from learning it.

Director:

David Twohy

Writer:

David Twohy

Stars:

Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Schiff

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlie Sheen	...	Zane Zaminsky
Lindsay Crouse	...	Ilana Green
Richard Schiff	...	Calvin
Shane	...	JPL Guard #1
Ron Silver	...	Phil Gordian / Mexican Guard
Teri Polo	...	Char
Phyllis Applegate	...	Mrs. Roosevelt
Alan Coates	...	Terraformer
Leon Rippy	...	DOD #1
Buddy Joe Hooker	...	DOD #2
Javier Morga	...	Co-worker
Tony T. Johnson	...	Kiki
Catalina Botello	...	N.C.A.R. Woman
Georg Lillitsch	...	Computer Tech
David Villalpando	...	Cabbie

Storyline

Zane (Charlie Sheen), a young, mild-mannered astronomer discovers an extraterrestrial radio signal. After being fired from his organization for reporting this to his superior, he takes a chance on discovering the truth: that his workplace is not quite what it seems to be and a sinister conspiracy is at work. The aliens are keeping a deadly secret, and will stop at nothing to prevent Zane from learning it.

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Plot Keywords:

alien | conspiracy | alien invasion | broadcast signal intrusion | earth from space | 

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Taglines:

For centuries we've been watching the skies, when we should have been watching our backs.

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sci-fi violence and terror, and for brief language

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 May 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Making of the Arrival

Filming Locations:

Grove Street, Bishop, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$184,261, 26 July 1996

Gross USA:

$14,048,372, 18 August 1996

Company Credits

Production Co:

Live Entertainment, Steelwork Films, Mediaworks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At 10 minutes and 39 seconds into the movie, a copy of Carl Sagan's book "Cosmos" can be seen next to the radio in Zane's bedroom.

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Goofs

The large black scorpion above the light switch in Llana's room has no stinger.

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Quotes

Zane Ziminski: I come to you with what may be the preeminent discovery of the 20th century, the possibility of extra-solar life, and I get shit-canned for it?

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Connections

References Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

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Soundtracks

Ramblin' On My Mind
Performed by Robert Lockwood Jr. (as Robert Jr. Lockwood)

User Reviews

A smart, well done Alien movie.

I had the pleasure of watching this film in the theater and to be quite honest that is the way it should be seen. Its a well done movie about aliens visiting earth, overall the story is nothing original (but it does have more then a few tricks up its sleeve) and is your typical Alien invader movie.

Watching this on television years later its hard to appreciate just how well this film was shot. One scene in particular involving a large dish and someone almost falling off the side of it almost caused me to make a mess in my pants when first watching the film on the big screen.

When I saw it the theater was mostly empty (not good for the movie, but it probably allowed us to enjoy it some more) and it was its first run (did it have a second?). Its sad the film didn't do as well as it should have, at the time it was the best alien related movie in theaters (I seem to remember independence day being out at the same time).

My one gripe is a somewhat weak ending (especially considering the strength of the rest of the movie). Overall it is an entertaining and somewhat thought provoking film that you won't regret watching unless you don't like movies that emphasize suspense instead of action. And there is a LOT of suspense in this film. It doesn't skimp on action either but it saves it for the end of the movie where it belongs and makes some sense.

Some people may not like its message either but I didn't have a problem with it and it certainly didn't get overly preachy. People voice their opinions on screen just as someone would do in real life, and I don't have a problem with that. The real focus of the movie is aliens, not the environment. If you fixate on the environmental message in the movie then you probably have some issues or just don't get this type of movie. Global warming is more of a subplot that leads Mr Sheen in a certain direction and nothing more.

The special effects are fairly spartan but effective and nicely creepy when they are used.

Some of the characters are kind of annoying but are necessary, and don't detract from the film overall.

A worthwhile rental, especially if you have a large TV to watch it on.