The Arrival (1996)

Director:

David Twohy

Writer (WGA):

David Twohy (written by)

Release Date:

31 May 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Thriller | Mystery | Action

Tagline:

The greatest danger facing our world has been the planet's best kept secret...until now.

Plot:

Zane, an astronomer discovers intelligent alien life. But the aliens are keeping a deadly secret, and will do anything to stop Zane from learning it.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Scientist | Paranoia | Taxi | Seminar

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Charlie Sheen	...	Zane Zaminsky
Lindsay Crouse	...	Ilana Green
Richard Schiff	...	Calvin
Shane	...	JPL Guard #1
Ron Silver	...	Phil Gordian / Mexican Guard
Teri Polo	...	Char
Phyllis Applegate	...	Mrs. Roosevelt
Alan Coates	...	Terraformer
Leon Rippy	...	DOD #1
Buddy Joe Hooker	...	DOD #2
Javier Morga	...	Co-worker
Tony T. Johnson	...	Kiki
Catalina Botello	...	N.C.A.R. Woman
Georg Lillitsch	...	Computer Tech
David Villalpando	...	Cabbie

Also Known As:

Shockwave

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sci-fi violence and terror, and for brief language.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA | Mexico

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Netherlands:16 (video rating) | Netherlands:18 | Australia:M | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:7 | UK:15 (video premiere) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34593) | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Grove Street, Bishop, California, USA

Company:

Live Entertainment

Goofs:

Continuity: During the late-night conversation between Zane and Ilana Green, Zane recalls a lecture on terraforming at JPL. But the scene shown in his flashback took place when he was not present in the lecture hall, so it's impossible for him to "remember" it.

Quotes:

Calvin: This is like looking for a needle in a haystack full of needles.

Movie Connections:

References Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

smart, well-made sci-fi

Intriguing sci-fi thriller stars Sheen as a brilliant but paranoid astronomer whose obsession with his quest to discover intelligent life puts him at odds with his neglected girlfriend. He discovers a strange signal from outer space, but is fired when he tries to make it public. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he stumbles upon the existence of aliens that have already invaded the Earth and are using a sophisticated technological scheme to try and take it over. Brainy thriller abandons guns, explosions, and car chases in favor of actual science and clever plot devices. Starts off slow, but only gets more and more interesting as it goes along, with an effectively edgy performance from Sheen that's right on target. ***