Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

MoPoshy Absolutely brilliant

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

gwnightscream Charlie Sheen, Teri Polo, Lindsay Crouse and Ron Silver star in this 1996 sci-fi film. Sheen (Wall Street) plays Zane, an astronomer who discovers an alien conspiracy after picking up a radio signal from space. Polo (Meet the Parents) plays Zane's girlfriend, Char, Crouse plays scientist, Ilana and Silver (Timecop) plays Gordian, Zane's corrupt, boss. This is a pretty good sci-fi flick with some neat effects, good score and Sheen & Silver are great in it. I recommend this.

Leofwine_draca THE ARRIVAL is one of the earliest Hollywood films made to cash in on the success of THE X-FILES on TV, telling of astronomer Charlie Sheen who becomes convinced that he and he alone has detected an alien signal from deepest space. After a slightly slow introduction, the film picks up pace in its depiction of a large-scale conspiracy, an alien invasion done in a different style to most.I remember seeing and enjoying this film soon after release, even though it's only mid budget and features early CGI effects work which hasn't really stood the test of time. Something about it is endearing despite the faults; Sheen's heartfelt performance, perhaps, or the film's sense of paranoia which in some ways rivals the best this genre has to offer. The backwards legs effects still look great two decades on, and the reliable character actor Ron Silver gets to deliver a wonderfully sinister villainous performance. Don't bother with THE SECOND ARRIVAL, though, it just isn't of the same calibre.

Robyn Nesbitt (nesfilmreviews) While the monumental and most expensive alien invasion picture of 1996 was declaring our independence, a small budget sci-fi thriller overachieves with an intriguing storyline and a well-written script. David Twohy, a screenwriter ("Waterworld," "The Fugitive") makes his feature debut as both a writer and director with "The Arrival." It's a lean piece of writing that moves quickly, and has some unexpected twists along the way. Those who crave conspiracy theories and cover ups, your time will not go to waste.Radio astronomer Zane Ziminsky (Charlie Sheen) believes he's picked up a cosmic noise that signals extraterrestrial intelligence. But after turning over the tape to his boss, Zane loses his job, his girlfriend gets transferred, and his once partner is found dead. Zane's desperate search for answers leads him to a mysterious power plant in Mexico generating much more than just electricity, and run by people who are not what they appear to be. The film's main strength arises from Twohy's writing, which manages to maintain decent dialogue, even when the plot mechanics take over. The movie never sinks into the realm of straight-to-video disaster. Sheen isn't ideally cast in the role of a scientist, but he is respectable and maintains a high level of intensity. The responsibility for the movie lies fully on Sheen's shoulders, and he carries the burden admirably. A overachieving low-budget sci-fi film with an interesting premise that is hampered by only a weak ending.

LeonLouisRicci This Little Movie has Big things on its Mind. Unlike Independence Day (1996) that was a Mindless Big Movie. Climate Change and Alien Invasion are two of those Things. David Twohy, a Talented Writer/Director is one Filmmaker that is consistently interesting, making Movies that almost always are a Notch Above.In this Film there is an Abundance of Paranoia and Government Cover-Ups that lend an Unsettling Feel and the SFX and Makeup are Creepy and suck every Low-Budget Dollar into a Visually Impressive, pervasive Trickery, that is Original and Clever.This is an Underrated Sleeper that never got the Attention or Acclaim that it deserves. It does have some Limitations, due to Budget, that are Visible but are nothing Less than Cool. Charlie Sheen is a Dynamo of a Geek and comes close to Over Acting but is always Engaging and Likable.The rest of the Cast does a Good Job of surrounding this Radio Astronomer with Threatening Characters and Friendly Confidants. There is so much here that is Remarkable and is one of the least known of its Era, being Eclipsed by other Movies and TV Shows that take on the same Subject. However, this is an Eerie Entry in the Field and is a Fine Find for those wanting a bit of Intelligence in the "Is there other Intelligent Life in the Universe?" Question. There is a rush to the Ending and it is a bit Flat and Unsatisfying but the last few Minutes cannot keep this from being an Entertaining Movie that has Aspirations of Enlightenment.