Carl Roberts 
“Although it isn’t Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, Disclosure Day is a welcome return to the science fiction sandbox for the master director.”
Steven Spielberg returns to the science fiction sandbox with his latest movie, Disclosure Day. The film, based on a story by Spielberg and written by David Koepp, is a more tense thriller than a science fiction movie. With a cast that includes Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo, the film has the pedigree and the structure that should rightfully raise it above the usual summer fare. Yet, does it hit the ground with a loud bang? Or can the film take to the skies?
THE PREMISE
As a massive government conspiracy unravels, a targeted whistleblower races against time to bring about the extraordinary event that will change human history forever: the day of ultimate alien disclosure.
THOUGHTS
To best describe the film would be to say it feels almost like the third and final chapter in Spielberg’s ‘Friendly Alien’ trilogy that started with Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, with E.T The Extra Terrestrial as the middle chapter. While the film can’t match the power and gravitas of those two movies (not many films can), it is, simply, a terrific return to the sandbox the director was a master of for so many years. Sometimes, it comes across as a combination of both films (the conspiracy moments from Close Encounters, and the charm and mystery of E.T). This makes for a summer movie that is more than enough to sustain the audience for its 145-minute runtime. The film could easily shave off at least twenty minutes. However, it never feels overlong.
With one of John Williams’ best scores for a long time (actually encompassing similar themes and cues from Close Encounters and E.T), the film manages to grip and amaze. Those of you who adore the two movies, as I do, can easily detect the similarity to Keys’ theme from E.T., with some of the wonder and chase cues from Close Encounters, making the film feel like the final chapter of a long-running trilogy. While rumors said the film was almost a semi-sequel to Close Encounters, apart from the obvious musical cues and a shot of the mountain from that film, it isn’t. However, it does feel like it’s a part of that world, that sandbox that we all loved. And this makes the film all the richer and more rewarding.
THE CAST
Every single cast member does their part in making the film a success. Emily Blunt as Margaret Fairchild, a Kansas City TV meteorologist and former journalist, excels in her role. She is front and center throughout. As is Josh O’Connor as Daniel Kellner, a young cybersecurity expert and whistleblower. The story and film make them a connected duo, in ways we have to discover for ourselves. In fact, the plotlines they are given intertwine brilliantly as they converge. By the climax of the middle third of the film, they finally meet. This is where the mystery deepens further. I’m being deliberately vague, as the film needs to be seen clean. Saying too much will spoil it for the audience, and the film doesn’t deserve that.
What I can say is the pair make for an interesting and wonderful team on screen, one that we follow as we slowly peel back the layers the film has. Colin Firth as Noah Scanlon, the head of the Wardex corporation, makes for a wonderful villain. Or does he? That needs to be discovered by the audience. Yet, we are never 100% sure about him. While his motives become clear, Scanlon isn’t your typical villainous creation. Instead, he comes across as someone who knows what must be done, why it needs to happen, but goes about it with a lot of humanity. Firth seems happy to play third fiddle to Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor. He knows he is a vital part of the film, but the pair are the main focus throughout.
EVE HEWSON AND COLMAN DOMINGO
Eve Hewson as Jane Blankenship, a former nun and Daniel’s girlfriend, is also a vital cog in the film’s machine. As Jane, the actress, comes across initially as the damsel in distress, but has a strong backbone to her, a steely makeup that comes into play at various times. Jane wants to know why Daniel is on the run from Scanlon and Wardex. What is he hiding, and why has he done what he has? When she discovers the truth, it comes as a huge and emotional shock to her. Eve Hewson expertly plays her role, despite almost vanishing from the film for an hour. When she returns, however, she becomes almost the savior of the entire climax.
Colman Domingo as Hugo Wakefield, a Wardex defector and advocate for disclosure, delivers a quiet, warm, but mysterious performance. From the start, Hugo is planning something, an event that will change humanity forever. He gives out small clues along the way that are up to us to decipher alongside the two main characters. Some people may find it infuriating that he doesn’t just come out and tell the pair what is going on, who they are, and why they are experiencing the changes in their personalities they are. However, it builds the tension up, delivering small clues that all come together as we reach the final third of the film. Domingo is a welcome and warm addition to the film, taking us by the hand at times and steering us towards something that is an emotional knockout.
THE SCREENPLAY AND DIRECTING
The film is written by David Koepp, based on a story by Steven Spielberg. From the start, we can see Spielberg’s fingerprints all over it. The director’s short films from his formative years, This Boy’s Life and Watch the Skies, are the basis of the storyline. Koepp takes these short films and Spielberg’s story and spins us a classic yarn that has us hooked. Part conspiracy movie, part road trip, and part science fiction, Koepp crafts them all together into a story that hits almost every note he aims for. He sidelines a few characters, such as Wyatt Russell as Jackson, Margaret’s partner, not giving them enough to do, but he redeems himself with the strength he gives to the main cast with his writing.
Steven Spielberg directs as only he can. He takes his story and Koepp’s script and gives us superior summer blockbuster fare. The film feels incredibly personal to the director, and it shows throughout the film. The action scenes are handled deftly, the characters are all treated with respect, he allows his actors to breathe and create their characters to the best they can be, and he shoots it in the way we expect. If we were to mix his visual and directorial style with Close Encounters, E.T, and Bridge Of Spies, this is what we would get. And it works wonders. As we have come to expect, this is the mark and the work of a superior director, one with such style and panache that we can’t help but be astounded by it.
VERDICT
Although it isn’t Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, Disclosure Day is a welcome return to the science fiction sandbox for the master director. It is a film that cannot be explained in a simple review; it demands to be seen. All the moving parts slowly combine into a science fiction/ conspiracy thriller/ fantasy movie that has the audience on its toes, rooted to their seats, and mesmerized by what’s on the screen. This is vintage Spielberg, returning to those films we remember from the 70s, 80s, and early 90s. It is certainly his best film in the past twenty years, as far removed from Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and even War Of The Worlds as can be. It also includes John Williams’ best original score in what seems an age. While harking back to some of Spielberg’s earlier films, Williams has crafted a score that is also quiet, moving, and haunting.
A TRILOGY CLOSER?
If the film actually is Spielberg’s trilogy closer, then he’s hit the mark completely. He awed us with Close Encounters, captured our hearts and made us cry with E.T, and delivers a strong and emotional climax with this film. This kind of thing can only come from Spielberg’s imagination, almost like a child’s fantasy come to life. The director even teases us with a song choice in the film. Whereas Close Encounters had ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ from Pinocchio at its heart, here it is ‘One Day My Prince Will Come’ from Snow White. Is the director hinting that the film is in the same realm and world as his previous movie? Is he making us believe that the film could be a semi follow-up to it? We need to make up our own minds on that one.
ALMOST A FAIRYTALE
Some aspects of the film make us feel like it’s almost a fairytale brought to life. The use of the creatures in the film makes us feel that way, and what he shows with Delaney Cuthbert as young Margaret and Tyler Renaud as young Daniel gives us a childlike innocence to the film. This film showcases Spielberg’s inner child finally getting a chance to play, as he breathes new life into memories of his childhood and dreams, transforming them into a captivating narrative. At times, it does feel like a personal journey for him. And that’s what makes the film a resounding success. Disclosure Day is the best summer movie so far this year. Watch the skies! And listen.
Disclosure Day opens in UK cinemas from tomorrow, and U.S theaters from Friday, courtesy of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
