Rating: ****

Contact is a film with many hidden messages. On some levels the film acts as an above average sci-fi thriller. However several aspects of the film question the expected genre. This is because the director (Robert Zemeckis) has incorporated several other elements to reach more than just his intended target audience. This, under media terminology is classified as Hybridity.

There is a potential love interest whilst the film unravels. It’s an interesting up and down relationship and both Jodie Foster and Mathew McConaughey have an interesting on-screen chemistry.

Whilst watching the film I felt excited and enthralled. I really sympathised with Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster). I didn’t think of her as Jodie anymore; You really believed she had spent most of her life searching for alien intelligence and the most memorable part of the whole film is indefinitely the unknown signals from outer space.

The film had a promising beginning, middle and… well that’s it. I found the end disappointing. I felt that a lot of the tension that had been built up went to waste. I don’t wish to tell you what the ending is as I feel that I will ruin it for viewers. I can tell you that some people will like at and others will hate it. But isn’t that the case with any film? I still believe that Contact isn’t spoilt as I feel it has too many exciting and dramatic scenes.

The directing is superb. Robert Zemeckis rarely directs anything adequate but I think his use of camera and special effects really create the tension needed in the film. The music written and composed my Alan Silvestri is well mounted and flows well with the action on-screen.

This film in my opinion could have been a classic, its let down due to its disappointing ending. However the film does redeem itself by having various exciting and extremely well acted scenes. The story (bar the ending) is brilliant. You’re not likely to get a film with a bad storyline if it originated from a book. This really lifted it from being just your average sci-fi movie. I did thoroughly enjoy it and I recommend it to everyone who is prepared to watch with an open mind. Foster and McConaughey fans will be delighted. And I think it will provide viewers from around the globe with a truly breath taking experience.

By Nick.D