REVIEW: Disclosure Day
Per Webster’s Dictionary: Science-Fiction is a noun defined by the dealing of principality within the impact of an actual or imagined science on society. An impact that could also be seen on individuals or having a scientific factor as an essential orienting component.
In the arts, science-fiction can be seen as a genre that encompasses rich visual and conceptual tradition. One that explores imaginative themes and speculative futures. Generational staples of this type of storytelling can be seen through the writings of Thea von Harbou, Leigh Brackett, and the Wachowski’s, to the directions of Fritz Lang, Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg, and many more.
Over the 37 feature films directed across his career, Spielberg cemented his science-fiction legacy across 11 of them. For his directions of ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ and ‘E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial,’ Spielberg was nominated his first two Academy Award Nominations for Best Director. With the release of Spielberg’s latest journey into science-fiction, ‘Disclosure Day,’ it begs a question if trends of innovation and generational storytelling would leave it’s impression on the craft and stand the test of time.
For all the pyrotechnics, ‘Disclosure Day’ is a letdown.
It is not in the same league as Spielberg’s aforementioned predecessors, nor does it break any new ground in the vein of science-fiction by itself. Part of ‘Disclosure Day’s’ problem is that the adaptation of David Koepp’s screenplay presents a flow of stagnancy. Throughout the duration of its 145 minute runtime, the overwhelming feeling of exposition provides too much of a distraction. Feelings of a story being pushed down to the vein of a bare minimum rather than being seen to a full potential. The viewer hints a story centered around some manner of extraterrestrial telepathy, yet find themselves in subplots embodying themes of creation, theology, and cosmos. Faith versus fear. Questions of necessity through utilization of a particular sector of Genesis in the Holy Bible. Why was that sector the the theme of creation the focus instead of the universe as a whole? In fact, if it was not for a particular description of plot synopsis, the viewer would have no indication of another subplot centered around a potential brink of World War III.
By the time the viewer finds themselves focused and invested as the journey reaches resolution, a moment involving a train long-since yanked away confidence in the story Koepp and Spielberg were looking to present. The viewer is too distracted by the comparisons and contrasts to other generational science-fiction staples that they have long-since tuned out. Thoughts of current generational masterclasses in ‘TORCHWOOD: Children of Earth’ and ‘Midnight Special’ cause the viewer feelings of having previously been through this experience across a myriad of differentiations. Even as Emily Blunt’s character delivers the last line of ‘Disclosure Day,’ it’s a moment that could be placed side-by-side a specific scene from a Steven Moffat penned episode of ‘Doctor Who.’
The spectacle of the cinematic experience through an IMAX format provides ‘Disclosure Day’ a moment of reminiscence. Shades of science-fiction B picture showcases made famous in a previous century. A reason for wanting to give ‘Disclosure Day’ a thumbs up based on how the cinematic experience flows through us. While readers of this review are encouraged to make their own decisions whether to seek out ‘Disclosure Day’ or any particular sector of the arts, a positive recommendation from the writer of this review would not be made in good conscience.
Steven Spielberg’s legacy on both filmmaking and science-fiction will continue to stand the test of time. While time will tell in how ‘Disclosure Day’ will be looked across his library of work, pondering now shifts to the science-fiction genre by itself.
How does a writer, or a filmmaker, look at newer and innovative ways to explore the elements of science-fiction? How does one create something fresh, and innovative without reverting toward routes that would generally be seen as safe? Something that could be impactful and essential through orienting components.
What science-fiction is all about.
2.85093735 on a scale of 5
(Thumbs Down)
