Contact (1997)
Refrain from contact in 2026…
Presentation:
Of all the significant alien movies, I think Contact might be one that has aged the most poorly. The CGI is outdated and Robert Zemeckis’ safe and religious direction feels inappropriate for the more mysterious nature of first contact. For many, this may be the charm of the film, providing a heartwarming and uplifting feel good experience. I found the acting to be overacted especially from Jodie Foster with fake chemistry and an unnecessary relationship with McConaughey. There is a famous mirror scene that is making the rounds on social media, but I found nothing else to be particularly interesting compared to other films from this genre.
Conclusion:
I don’t think this film is that bad, it’s just the other films are so much better. It’s of note that Arrival is heavily influenced by this film, but Villeneuve did it infinitely better. Ultimately for a film about first contact, it rests on either the suspense, lead, or moment of contact. I found all 3 to be severely underwhelming and the science aspects are laughably shallow. This may have been a good film in 1997, but it’s a grueling watch in 2026.
Recommendations
Refrain from contact in 2026…