The Arrival [VHS] [1996]

The initial plot of "The Arrival" is almost identical to the film version of Carl Sagan's "Contact" (starring Jodie Foster), where an underfunded SETI project gets the chop just as a major radio signal comes through. But here the plot of "Arrival" takes a different turn to that of "Contact" and moves into an equally unoriginal "conspiracy theory" mode, where aliens with a sinister agenda are arriving incognito and the protagonist, Zane, is left not knowing who in the government to trust and trying to get the message of the "truth" of his discovery out to the world.There are a number of silly occurences that crop up from time to time. For example, despite Zane's paranoia he decides to confide in a teenager who he catches breaking itno his house one night. This turns out to be necessary for later, but it's distinctly less plauable even than aliens invading ...Nevertheless it's an enjoyable watch although fans of sci-fi will have seen most of the content in the guise of many films and shorts before (see the Outer Limits "Aliens Amongst Us" for one of many examples).

I didn't think this was too bad for a tongue in cheek alien story. In the best tradition of those original 60's and 70's classics. It filled a boring Sunday afternoon for me. Starting with the alien signal in best SETI tradition then the conspiracy of silence where the aliens had infiltrated NASA etc. The battle to discover the plants being used to alter our atmosphere. Then the alien technology and aliens themselves being revealed. With the final action packed battle where good old US hero prevails. Special effect were passable . Overall quite entertaining if you don't take it too seriously.

Highly watchable for the first two-thirds, even though Sheen can do and has done way better acting in his time. A pair of SETI chums stumble upon an alien signal. They make the mistake of reporting it to their boss. Who is an alien. One of several in fact, who already live amongst us and are looking to speed up global warming to prematurely eliminate humans and harvest the planet’s resources. Hmmm. Cringe cgi effects finish off an already-ropey plot. It has its moments. But they are just moments.

The reality' of the planets fate is astounding. FORGET ALIENS.... ,US, the government, is really what's happening.IF we cant look after the planet, then we don't deserve to live on it. The most profound line in the hole film.

0h 38m 50s: I owned the same model of Walkman in the 1990s! Yellow Sony Walkman water and splash resistant. A good unit but a little heavy and expensive. Didn't know about its ET seeking powers!

The Arrival, not to be confused with the Amy Adams film Arrival, is an inventive science fiction film that keeps your attention and actually has a decent story and not bad special effects.The hardest part is watching Charlie Sheen literally over act. He seems to spend the later part of the film in a permanent state of surprise. Shame as a better performance might have made this a real winner.

Quite enjoyable to watch, the ending with the bad guys could have been better but throughout the film, it was very entertaining to watch and a good storyline.I'm giving it 4 stars as I feel that more could have been done with the alien bad guys, that is my only downfall with this film.

I always find the mystery and intrigue of films the best thing. However, as soon as you understand what's happening and see the aliens, it all fell apart for me. Still, am easy watch on an otherwise dull Friday night. I suppose it was probably not bad in the 90's.