Disclosure Day

 

       Director Steven Spielberg's return to science fiction finds him in very familiar territory. Too familiar as it turns out. With a story by Mr. Spielberg and a screenplay by David Koepp, the film plays like the director's greatest hits. Bits and pieces from many of his earlier (and better) films make up this story of alien cover up and reveal that could almost serve as a sequel to "Close Encounters of The Third Kind".

       Starring Josh O'Conner as a whistle blower for Wardex, a shadowy corporation, the film drops us in the middle of the story as he is on the run with secret files that he wants to disclose to the whole world. Joining him are his girlfriend, Jane, played by Eve Hewson and later by Margaret, played by Emily Blunt, a TV weather personality, who is more than she even realizes herself.

         Joining the three leads are Colin Firth, as the head of Wardex, Colman Domingo, as Hugo, another defector from Wardex and a miscast Wyatt Russell as Margaret's boyfriend. Ms. Blunt is terrific in a role that becomes more complicated as the film goes on. Mr. O'Conner plays the reluctant hero well and Mr. Firth is a well cast villain. Ms. Hewson is also good as the girlfriend, in what seems to be constant peril. 

         The film is basically one long chase (shades of "The Sugarland Express" with some "Duel" thrown in for good measure). His aliens, when revealed look just like the ones from "Close Encounters" and much of the Wardex tech resembles the tech of "Minority Report". Sprinkle in some "E.T." elements and stunts worth of "Indiana Jones" and there you have it. And, of course you have to include a few cute kids.

         There are a few memorable action sequences and clever effects (although the CGI animals aren't very realistic) but overall, the film is a disappointment in the canon of Mr. Spielberg's works. Even the score by John Williams fails to inspire us. The film's message of empathy for each other is also familiar territory for Mr. Spielberg. The only thing missing was Richard Dreyfuss emerging from a spaceship at the end.