The Arrival (1996 film)

The Arrival (1996 film)
Name	The Arrival
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	David Twohy
Producer	Jim Steele, Robert W. Cort, Ted Field
Writer	David Twohy
Starring	Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Crouse, Ron Silver, Teri Polo
Music	Arthur Kempel
Cinematography	Hiro Narita
Editing	Martin Hunter
Studio	Orion Pictures, Live Entertainment
Distributor	Orion Pictures
Released	1996, 05, 31
Runtime	115 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$25 million
Gross	$14.1 million

The Arrival (1996 film). A 1996 American science fiction thriller film written and directed by David Twohy. The film stars Charlie Sheen as a radio astronomer who uncovers evidence of an alien invasion, with a supporting cast including Lindsay Crouse, Ron Silver, and Teri Polo. Produced by Orion Pictures and Live Entertainment, the film explores themes of conspiracy and environmental catastrophe through its narrative of covert extraterrestrial activity.

Plot

Radio astronomer Zane Zaminski, working at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, detects an intelligent signal from deep space. After reporting his findings, he is abruptly fired by his supervisor, Phil Gordian, and his data is confiscated. Investigating on his own, Zaminski teams up with environmental scientist Ilana Green and discovers that the signal is not from deep space but originates from Mexico. Their investigation leads them to a remote industrial facility, where they uncover a secret plot by an alien species to covertly terraform Earth by accelerating global warming, making the planet habitable for their species while exterminating humanity. The aliens, who can mimic human appearance, are led by the disguised Gordian. Zaminski and Green race to expose the conspiracy and sabotage the alien climate-manipulation technology.

Cast

* Charlie Sheen as Zane Zaminski * Lindsay Crouse as Ilana Green * Ron Silver as Phil Gordian * Teri Polo as Char * Richard Schiff as Calvin * Tony T. Johnson as Kiki * Leon Rippy as Agent Augustus * Buddy Joe Hooker as Helicopter Pilot * David Pressman as Dr. Spelman * Jane Sibbett as CNN Reporter * Ron Canada as General * Mike Gomez as Mexican Worker * Alex Nevil as Young Zane

Production

The film was written and directed by David Twohy, marking his second feature film following Timescape. Principal photography took place in various locations, including Los Angeles and Mexico, with the Arecibo Observatory scenes filmed on location in Puerto Rico. The production faced challenges, including a tight schedule and the logistical difficulties of shooting at the iconic Arecibo dish. The visual effects, which included the alien creatures and their technology, were created by VIFX, a company known for its work on films like Stargate. The film's score was composed by Arthur Kempel.

Release

The Arrival was released theatrically in the United States on May 31, 1996, by Orion Pictures. Its release was notably delayed and impacted by the financial troubles of its distributor, Orion Pictures, which was undergoing bankruptcy proceedings at the time. The marketing campaign emphasized the film's conspiracy-thriller elements and the star power of Charlie Sheen, who was then a major box office draw following successes like Platoon and Hot Shots!. The film was later released on VHS and LaserDisc in 1997.

Reception

Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports a 47% approval rating based on 30 reviews. Critics praised the film's ambitious premise and some of its suspenseful sequences but criticized its pacing and perceived derivativeness from other science fiction films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The performance of Charlie Sheen was noted as a highlight. Commercially, the film was a box office disappointment, grossing only $14.1 million worldwide against a production budget of $25 million. It was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film but lost to Independence Day.

Legacy

Despite its initial commercial failure, The Arrival has developed a cult following in the years since its release, particularly among fans of 1990s science fiction cinema and conspiracy thrillers. It is often noted for its prescient themes regarding climate change and environmental manipulation. The film's director, David Twohy, would later achieve greater success with the Riddick franchise, beginning with Pitch Black. The film's direct-to-video sequel, The Second Arrival, was released in 1998, starring Patrick Muldoon and directed by Kevin Tenney.

Category:1996 films Category:American science fiction thriller films Category:Films about alien invasions Category:Films directed by David Twohy Category:Orion Pictures films