Film Review || Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Special Edition (1980)

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In the years of the sort of films that would've inspired a dull imagination, here are several fantastical films that supply a refreshing view on specific subjects of interest. an astonishing achievement, capturing the feeling of awe and wonder we have when considering the likelihood of life beyond the Earth.'  (Ebert, 1980) In this case, it is alien life, and the cultures of humans surrounding their potential existences. 'Close encounter of the Third Kind' directed by Steven Spielberg, is the story of a family man who brushes by some aliens in a 'first kind' scenario. Subsequent events then indicate a sort of psychic or impulsive behaviour that leads our protagonists to a mountain where they observe, and eventually meet the aliens for the first time. This was also the special edition, so it had a few scenes more than the original, plus some alien animatronics.

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'We sit in comfortable seats, our attention focused on the screen and with no competitors for that attention.' (Turner, 1999) While in the cinema, we are participating in a wider culture involving film, but at the same time we may be inclined to think that the more enigmatic elements of this film may cause confusion. This is where intuition comes in; when we begin to understand through events revealed throughout the film, coupled with the title and covers it supplies upon entry. 

The truth is that it is not necessary to be in depth about things when the audience has the capacity to fill in the gaps themselves through knowledge of extended media. That's one of the biggest things Steven Spielberg has to his films, a barebones simplicity that carries beyond the mere written word and cinematography.

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This sort of fantasy can have its downside too however, especially when it doesn't appeal to members of the audience. The effects of marketing are prevalent here when it comes down to this point, in evidence the movie bypassed a lot of plot detail in order to focus more on the alien life forms. 'There is a transforming experience that creates a need to fulfil a mission or wish. There is the use of bright light as literal and metaphorical illumination. There are rescue, redemption, and affirmation of an individual's worth.' (Errigo 2000) This can be a dealbreaker when it comes down to the more technical loving crowds of critics and film buffs, who will accuse the film of being too straightforward or to a commercial imperative. 

But intense or deep techniques don't really matter in the long run regarding production cycles, directors has a way of minimising workloads so they may look at plot and characters in more depth, and when you understand how they do this, it is key in generating a consistent style. When it comes down to it, having the ability to make exactly what you need brings quality control straight to the screen. But it won't earn you any brownie points if you want to make a name for yourself.

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In closing, the movie has its own kind of merit in memorable subject matter and its unique ways of addressing the audience. The score, by John Williams is possibly its most redeeming features in the repetition it created that echoed into the minds of onlookers, and in prevalence in act 3 where it produced a real dynamic atmosphere coupled with onscreen footage. Aesthetically, the models used for some of the scenes were very convincing, though some of the aliens were less than convincing when you realised they were just a crowd of stupid children. In all its still a film worth watching if you give a monkeys about the culture of screen.

Bibliography

Ebert, Roger. "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind Movie Review (1980) | Roger Ebert". Rogerebert.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 2 Mar. 2017. http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/close-encounters-of-the-third-kind-1980

Errigo, Angie. "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind". Empire. N.p., 2000. Web. 7 Mar. 2017.

Turner, Graeme. Film As Social Practise. 3rd ed. London: Routledge, 1999. Print.

Figures

fig 1. Spielberg, S. Close Encounters of the Third Kind Special Edition. (1980). [poster]

fig 2. Spielberg, S. Close Encounters of the Third Kind Special Edition. (1980). [film still]

fig 3. Spielberg, S. Close Encounters of the Third Kind. (1978). [photograph]

fig 4. Spielberg, S. Close Encounters of the Third Kind Special Edition. (1980). [film still]