Disclosure Day (Full Review)

I think the magic of wonder and awe can still be found in the movie theater. One person who I think is a master in this type of storytelling is Steven Spielberg. From countless classics, he still manages to help find our inner child and dream of bigger things about life and the amazing mysteries surrounding it. Thought-provoking themes filter his movies with imagination. All of his movies feel larger than life but connect with us on a deeper level. Disclosure Day proves that he is truly a veteran filmmaker that knows exactly what he is doing. Disclosure Day brings us back to believing that we may not be alone in this universe, and that is something extraordinary. A great look at how humanity would deal with knowing that truth. Knowing that they are not alone, does it make people scared, nervous, excited, violent, or more? People have always feared the unknown, and really, people just need to take time to listen and discover the unknown. Even with our own communities, do we truly actually know each other? On a deep level, are we connecting with each other more than on the surface? Disclosure Day is a spectacle! A story that burns slowly into an unforgettable climax. It was everything I wanted and more. Feeling optimistic and warm. Listen… go see this movie. It will make you feel seen and feel like you are not alone in this world! Empathy is alive and well.

A complex story that deals with many moving pieces can be complicated, but when you have a well-seasoned director and a great cast, the possibilities are endless. Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor are the two leads in this movie, and they were fantastic. Their experience through this entire journey was felt. Huge emotional scenes swept throughout the runtime, and you will get how the characters are feeling and really understand what they are going through. Emily Blunt has always proven to be an incredible actress, and this movie contains probably one of her best performances since Sicario. She is the emotional anchor of this movie and pulls it off with ease. Josh also gives it his all and also showcases some amazing stunt work in some of his action sequences. It was really cool seeing him do all the action scenes. Colin Firth and Coleman Domingo were characters that seemed to have been playing chess with each other as they try to fight each other whether or not people deserve to know the truth. A bridging story element that brings all these characters to the fold. A great back and forth to witness and both delivering performances that also connect on deeper levels than expected. You feel why they are so passionate with their decisions. Eve Hewson also has a very pivotal role that deals with religion and belief. Knowing that aliens exist, it begs the question if people should question their whole belief system. Her character created layers to the movie and made you ask yourself questions about how you would react to the existence of aliens. This movie works because of this cast being fully committed to the movie’s themes and main lessons. The nailed exactly what they were going for.

The stories that are most important today are the stories about humanity. When the world is crumbling and falling apart, we escape to the movies. Then we get stories like these that remind us of the beauty of being human, and the world feels a bit less dark. I will not spoil the ending, and even if I did, I’m sure people will interpret things differently. What it will ultimately do is make people talk about it. Spielberg constantly shows off his skill throughout the movie, but the third act is a marvel in its own right. The last twenty to thirty minutes grips you and doesn’t let go. I personally fell to tears throughout it as it caught me in a whirlwind of emotions. The story is clever and takes you on an adventure that leads to a very special destination. You end up reflecting on our humanity towards each other and the things that we might fear because we are not open to learning about it. To really listen to each other and really come from a place of understanding. What makes you, you. A lesson that we desperately need at this moment in time. The craftsmanship of the movie is built around this story and is filled with great set pieces, monologues, great cinematography, and a brilliant score by John Williams. The only negative thing I have to say about the movie is that the second act does drag a bit. The movie feels long until it doesn’t. As soon as it reaches the peak of the third act, we are at full speed. The movie could have been edited a bit tighter, but the journey itself was well worth the wait.

Overall, Spielberg does something truly special in Disclosure Day. It is one of those movies that will leave you with hope. Hope that we become better people and listen to each other. To truly know each other on a personal level and connect in ways we never thought imaginable. A movie about aliens never seemed so human. Spielberg creates magic once again. One of the best films he has done recently and feels more like his older movies. I will always be seated for his movies, as he is always going to tell a story that is important and feel larger than life. Theaters are not only the place to go to escape the world, but also a place to learn about it. To gain perspectives and lessons that help us deal with the obstacles of life. Movies can mold us to be better and to try to do better. It reminds us of the beauty of the world. Empathy is truly the ultimate survival tool. There’s a lot to love about this movie, and I think it is totally worth checking out. Make sure to go to the theater and truly experience something magical.

Rating: 88/100