Having disliked the one trailer I saw, I opted to catch Disclosure Day in theaters for one reason only: Steven Spielberg. As a millennial who grew up watching E.T., Jurassic Park, and the original Indiana Jones trilogy, I was hard-pressed to pass up a new sci-fi project helmed by a giant of the genre, who also happens to be one of the greatest directors in history. To my pleasant surprise, the lackluster trailer was not indicative of the quality of the film, which grabbed my attention early and held on for most of the picture.
The Exceptional
Spielberg is still a master craftsman, a head and shoulders above most directors working today. I think of Project Hail Mary, another recent solid science fiction pic. While Disclosure Day doesn’t feature any shots that compare to the grandiose spectacle of Hail Mary, Spielberg’s sure direction sweeps the story and viewer along in a way that other filmmakers don’t or perhaps can’t.
For the first half of the movie, every frame helps build the tension, while Spielberg balances the suspense, humor, and sci-fi elements as expertly as ever, an immersive experience reminiscent of his previous alien flick, War of the Worlds, albeit much less violent. One action sequence in particular involves one of the most original and riveting “train chase” set pieces ever put on film.
The movie also boasts a couple of standout performances: Colin Firth being Colin Firth as lead villain Noah Scanlon, and Emily Blunt delivering one of the best performances of her career as protagonist Margaret Fairchild.
However, as good as the film is and as much as I enjoyed it, Disclosure Day is hampered by four (relatively) minor issues and one major flaw….
Cole Powell is an arts and media commentator and award-winning singer/songwriter from Jayess, Mississippi, USA, with degrees in computer technology, liberal arts, and theology. Host Random Reactions, Words Like That, and Film Nerd by Night. https://colepowell.net