Close Encounters of a Third… let’s look Spielberg’s masterpiece

After 40 years, Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind still holds up as one of the greatest sci-fi films. This is partly due to its difference to modern day sci-fi movies. The film isn’t about huge action pieces and CGI, its tale is simpler, beautiful and takes its time to immerse the audience in the mystery before the big reveal. Close Encounters is about taking oneself out of their comfortable cycle and to instead embrace a childlike wonder. It’s a story of how the everyman responds to the spectacular, and it doesn’t necessarily give us the normal happy ending we expect…

This isn’t like any other alien invasion movie

When you think alien invasion movie, you think of terrifying aliens coming to Earth looking to take over and destroy human kind! Close Encounters isn’t like that. Our first encounter with the aliens in the film is unsettling, yes (let’s say that perhaps the aliens don’t completely understand acceptable social cues yet). The scene where the aliens come for Barry in the house is foreboding, something out of a horror movie. Items in the house come alive as their eerie light creeps in through the cracks of the house.Spielberg ensures that we don’t see the aliens until the very end of the movie. We are forced to create our own image of them, and because of scenes like this, that image is one of a horrific and scary alien species. But when we finally meet them, they come off as well, kind of adorable! They are gentle and kind. In the end the humans were able to connect with the aliens in a peaceful manner.

The main character isn’t your typical hero archetype

Another alien invasion movie by Steven Spielberg is War of the Worlds. There we see our hero, Tom Cruise, willing to protect his family no matter what. Roy isn’t that hero. We see his mundane life; in one of the earlier scenes we see a typical day in his life. He’s reading the newspaper whilst his son bashes a toy repeatedly behind him. He has no aspirations and his life isn’t fulfilled.It isn’t until his encounter with the aliens that he finally feels compelled, driven with a purpose. This all-consuming endeavor results in him ultimately abandoning his family in favour of seeking out the aliens. It seems like the only thing in his life he’s been genuinely excited and thrilled about. Now this isn’t the ending you would expect to see in a generic Hollywood sci-fi film, and that’s what makes it so great. He abandons his adult burdens, and instead experiences the world through the eyes of a child again, escapes into wonder.

It’s one of Spielberg’s most personal films

Spielberg had a true passion for creating this film as he was a true believer of UFOs. Growing up he spent time collecting UFO sightings and even became close with extraterrestrial expert J. Allen Hynek.Like the main character in the film, Spielberg’s father also was a distant father. Spielberg said that he couldn’t make Close Encounters of the Third Kind today, now that he is a father himself. Watching the film however, you can see that it has been created through the eyes of a child abandoned by his father. You can see how the ending epitomizes the ultimate fantasy of why dad left – because he went on a spaceship with aliens.

The film inspires awe

One of the most remarkable aspects of the film is seeing how different communities and cultures respond to their close encounters. The aliens communicate to the humans through musical sounds. It is this tune that stays in the minds of all those that have encountered them. In one scene, we see an Indian community recreating the sounds in a mass chorus. Like a choir in a church, it’s a religious experience for them.

It’s a religious experience for the audience as well. In the final act as the alien ship dominates the screen and starts to sing, you can’t help but look at it in awe. You see some of Spielberg’s best directing here. Without the aid of overly expensive CGI, Spielberg’s masterful direction, the cinematography along with John Williams’ powerful score, provides the audience with an immersive and ambitious experience.

It’s here that the true intent of the film is revealed. It’s not about creating a suspenseful alien thriller, designed to shock the audience. Instead it’s about abandoning your fear of the unknown, and to embrace your childlike imagination and be open to the wonder of life again.

For those that have seen Close Encounters of the Third Kind before, you would be remise to miss the opportunity to see it the way it should be seen, remastered in the best quality. If you haven’t seen it before, then now’s the time to watch this on the best sci-fi movies, the way it should be seen, in all its high-quality glory!

This unforgettable Spielberg masterpiece Close Encounters of the Third Kind is available on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™& DVD from October 4, 2017.