Oscars 2017: Every Best Picture Nominee - Ranked From Worst To Best
2. Arrival
It seems that every autumn for the past few years has delivered a big, thoughtful sci-fi movie, from Gravity to Interstellar to The Martian. All have their virtues, but 2016 gave us the best yet.
Denis Villeneuve, who is on a frankly ridiculous hot-streak (which will hopefully continue with Blade Runner 2049), delivers his crowning achievement to date with Arrival, an alien movie whose greatest strength is its sheer humanity.
Arrival has what you'd expect from a huge sci-fi movie, with great visuals, and a first contact story with mysterious alien creatures that puts the whole planet at risk. It knocks those aspects out of the park, but really succeeds in its surprising message about language, and how we communicate with each other.
It takes a deep dive into this sheer fundamental aspect of life, anchored by Amy Adams on top form, giving this film its heart and ensuring that its plot twists work perfectly, and it's an outrage she's not nominated for Best Actress. It's ambitious, brilliant filmmaking; a smart, thought-provoking, and beautiful movie that deserves to stand as a sci-fi classic.