Verdict
Summary
Disclosure Day is entertaining enough as a chase thriller and asks a few interesting questions about faith when faced with life changing events. The problem is there is very little here that really stands out and can’t hold a candle to the likes of Close Encounters.
Plot: If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?
Review: I saw this twice in theatres but never had time to really review it, so I recently got the new 4K from Universal Pictures and figured it was time to give my thoughts on Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day.
When Spielberg does sci-fi that is the filmmaker at his best as far as I’m concerned. Close Encounters of the Third Kind remains one of my all-time favourite movies and a part of me was hoping this was going to be a secret sequel.
At the end of Disclosure Day I wanted Richard Dreyfuss to come out of a ship after many years to tell us where he had been. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be and what we get is a fun chase movie, but it’s really just the final 15-20 minutes when things get really interesting. This feels more like a call to action rather than a movie by the end as we know Spielberg (like the rest of us) wants the government to tell us what they really know about UFOs and extra terrestrials.
Working once again with screenwriter David Koepp, Spielberg crafts a large-scale sci-fi thriller built around the idea of humanity finally learning the truth about alien life. For much of its 145-minute running time, the narrative follows Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor as they race from one location to another, attempting to uncover and expose information while staying ahead of a shadowy organization determined to keep the truth hidden. The main antagonist is played to perfection by Colin Firth who may or may not be a villain. We also have the always great Coleman Domingo as the mysterious Hugo who we also aren’t quite sure if he can be trusted. The performances are all faultless and it certainly has the feel of Spielberg at times, but it rarely feels that exciting or innovative. The colours are drab with nothing really standing out even if they do look good on 4k.
The HDR grading adds some depth to the film’s numerous night scenes, with bright lights, computer displays and extraterrestrial effects popping from the screen without ever appearing artificial. Black levels are deep and stable, contrast is excellent, and film grain remains intact throughout. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is equally impressive and frequently demo-worthy. Dialogue remains crystal clear throughout, an important factor in a film packed with exposition and conspiracy-laden conversations. When the action ramps up, however, the mix truly shines.
John Williams score isn’t one of his best but the man is in his 90’s and the fact he is doing anything at all in terms of film scoring is a blessing in itself.
Special FeaturesL
- Encountering the Unknown: Inside Disclosure Day (54:03) — A making-of documentary directed by Laurent Bouzereau featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colman Domingo, plus a look at the film’s practical sets, visual effects, and real-life inspirations.
- Spielberg and Williams: A Legendary Collaboration (4:09) — A tribute highlighting the 52-year partnership and 30-film collaboration between Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams.
There aren’t exactly a plethora of featurettes here however, what we get is entertaining especially the nearly hour long documentary where Spielberg talks about his love of sci-fi and inspirations for the film. It’s only 4 minutes but the tribute to John Williams is moving and highlights the longstanding friendship of these two titans of cinema.
I would have loved interviews with people like Richard Dolan and other UAP experts to give their thoughts as to what they believe the reality is behind it all, but what we get is entertaining enough.
Overall, Disclosure Day isn’t quite the masterpiece we hoped for from Spielberg’s return to alien-themed science fiction. Much of the film plays like an extended chase thriller, but the final act delivers what I went to the theatre for even if it isn’t a sequel to Close Encounters.