Arrival joins a slate of recent sci-fi films like Interstellar and The Martian to argue against modern anti-intellectual forces.
This article contains mildArrivalspoilers.
Traditionally, this form of insight should be considered trivial and obvious.
Nevertheless, the landing ofArrivalis harrowingly prescient for the weekend after the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
A lifetime ago, science fiction had its first real cinematic heyday during the 1950s and early 60s.
In this period, the scientist or expert was often an integral part to the formula.
Why thats easy, the kid already knows the brilliant Professor Barnhardt is living down the street!
And less than two decades after that, NASA would put a man on the moon.
Of course, we know what the chances are for humanity to start acting selflessly.
Admittedly, this repeated element is a trope, a cliche from a bygone era of genre storytelling.
Theyre also smug and condescending, villainously indifferent to the life of Bruce Willis John McClane.
This is what makes films likeArrivalsuch a breath of fresh air.
While the talking heads wring their hands, Louise is only just reaching the space egg hovering over Montana.
In contrast, media echo chambers boil over in full frenzy with nothing to talk about but speculation.
In the U.S., President-elect Donald Trump successfully campaigned on a platform that largely relied on Know Nothing doublespeak.
Much less the rogue terrorist who also listens to radio shows and other things inArrival.
Also, 16 of the 17 hottest years have occurred consecutively since 2000.
And the problem with facts like these is that they are nonpartisan.
ArrivalandInterstellarare a bit more cynical.
This article was previously published on Nov. 14, 2016.
