Contact

Contact

Contact is likely to change a lot of perceptions, not only about the role of humankind in the universe, but about what special effects can do for a movie when they're used in the service of a story, rather than the other way around. Contact is that rare big-budget motion picture that places ideas, characters, and plot above everything else. Although Contact is rightfully being billed as the story of humanity's first encounter with an extraterrestrial life form, at its heart, it's really more about Ellie and her quest for meaning in life. In her own words: "For as long as I can remember, I've been searching for some reason why we're here, what we're doing here, who are we?" Ellie's trajectory places her on a collision course with answers to those questions, and it's the development of her character, and the resolution of this particular aspect of the story, that makes for a satisfying conclusion.

In its own unique way, Contact offers a little bit of almost everything: drama, romance, suspense, and science fiction. It touches the emotions and the intellect. There are glorious special effects, wonderful acting, and a couple of impressive pyrotechnic displays. The special effects are phenomenal done by Sony Pictures Imageworks. The space sequences, especially the very opening shot, are all wonderfully done. The design of the "transport" is inventive and original, and very eye-pleasing. It actually reminded me of the "transport" in Stargate, a much lesser of a film. The style of directing is top-notch and in my opinion, this is Robert Zemeckis' best film to date. The cinematography is extremely well-done and captures the space scenes nicely. The best element of the technical side of Contact must be the visual effects and the cinematography that goes with them. Robert Zemeckis has fashioned a truly awesome movie that celebrates the spiritual practices of listening, wonder, love, and enthusiasm. It affirms that there are times and places where reason must yield to mystery. The plot contains the most believable

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