Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (Special Edition)

Steven Spielberg, USA 1977, 132 minutes

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind is a sci-fi classic based on the idea of aliens coming to Earth and greeting humanity with friendship. This made it distinct from most of its predecessors which tended to portrayed aliens as monsters or body snatchers, out to end all humanity and take over the world. Despite the seemingly more tame plot, Close Encounters loses nothing and gains everything in this change from past tradition.

Richard Dreyfuss plays the part of Roy Neary, an engineer who becomes obsessed with alien sightings after seeing and trying to follow a small UFO one night. This experience somehow connects Neary to the alien race he encountered, eventually giving him knowledge of where the aliens' imminent landing is to take place.

Neary, driven by obsession and intrigue, struggles to get to this meeting place, overcoming military blockade, capture and the rough terrain.

Close Encounters is a film packed with warm humour. Neary is moved to make a model of the alien meeting place with mashed potatoes and a simple tune with accompanying flashing lights becomes the language between the alien beings and all of humanity.

Rumour has it the main spacecraft scenes actually feature an upside down R2D2 , along with a few other Star Wars relics. Also pay attention to Neary's facial hair in the closing scenes: it's amazing what entering a UFO can do to one's self image!

A definite "must see" on the big screen; TV could never do this film justice!

Review by Mark Bauer
Taken from EUFS Programme 1997-98