Close Encounters of the Third Kind | | Cast : | Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr | | Director : | Steven Spielberg | | Studio : | Columbia Tristar Hom | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | November 16, 1977 | | DVD Released Date : | July 05, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Thai (Subtitled), Chinese (Subtitled), Korean (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 23, 2005 | | Summary | "Are we the first?" | Content
 | "Are we the first to arrive here?" Those first words shouted above the strong dust storm in the desert combined with John Williams unique musical scoring, begins the most innovative and tension building plot exposition I've ever seen.
From there wunderkind Steven Spielberg thrusts us into an alien sighting report (or denial) as told to an active air traffic control center. Unseen, aliens are now part of the viewers psyche.
Spielberg found earlier success with this approach with movie JAWS, keeping the shark out of sight for more than half the movie...
With CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, Aliens are represented by flashing lights and an occasional spaceship. But, its true brilliance is not in seeing the story through someone's eyes, but rather, by looking at someone's eyes. That someone is Richard Dreyfuss in a career making performance.
With this type of filmmaking, Spielberg is worth his hype. He would again return to aliens with another master work E.T. and alien-like robots in A.I., fianlly with THE WAR OF THE WORLDS.
The DVD set is great with a wonderful documentary including interviews with the dirctor while on the set for SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.
"When You Wish Upon a Star..." |
| Rating | | | Date | August 11, 2005 | | Summary | A True Cinematic Experience | Content
| This still rates as one of Spielberg's best films. Richard Dreyfuss is at his best here as a man being drawn toward the unknown. The special effects were top notch for their day and still hold up well. There are scenes in this movie, such as the scene in which Dreyfuss is in his car and the UFO lights up his car and the mailboxes are rattling, that just knock you on your a## in suspense. The film is directed beautifully and the story told dramatically. This film is a masterpiece in film history and always will be. Spielberg was hitting his stride at this point, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Close Encounters, E.T. are all great films in their own right. Despite the fact that Spielberg still makes great films this was the time when he really soared. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 26, 2005 | | Summary | Still Spielberg's best film! | Content
| No doubt, legendary director Steven Spielberg will best be remembered for E.T. and SCHINDLER'S LIST. This UFO classic will always remain my favorite. The director's edition restores some scenes that were omitted when the special edition was released in 1980, and deletes the "inside the mother ship" scene, which I always felt was overkill.
On a more personal note...in the days following September 11, 2001, this was the film I finally came upon on TV after all those horrifying hours of 9-11 images. As I watched, I was suddenly 10 years-old again, seeing the movie for the first time at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC. It didn't seem to matter that I had the uncut, unedited VHS tape on the shelf in front of me, I just kept watching it to the end.
Thank you, Mr. Spielberg, for being the only evidence of any real magic in this world. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 21, 2005 | | Summary | Still one of his best | Content
| Unlike later films like Color Purple, Empire of the Sun or Amistad, Spielberg's at his best when he makes really memorable images, scenes or characters. Who else can forget Elliot biking across the moon in silhouette in ET, the opening to Saving Private Ryan or T-Rex outside the car in Jurassic Park. Well Close Encounters is chockful of them, plus it's a good story for bonus points.
Roy Neery, well trying to fix a power outage, has an encounter with a UFO which leaves him sunburned on half of his face. He also runs into Jillian, a single mother with her son Barry. He becomes fixed on his encounter and an image involving a mountain. This naturally doesn't sit well with his wife Ronnie and their children.
Meanwhile, 2 men are investigating the strange re-appearance of Flight 19 and a ship found in Mexico and the Gobi Desert. They also find Indian(not native/aboriginal people, I mean india people, always find people who confuse the 2 sorry) singing 5 particular notes. Both these 2 stories come to a head and a big finish at a landmark in Wyoming.
Who can forget Roy making mountains out of mashed potatoes or shaving cream? Or the aliens communicating through music? Or the 5 notes? Or quite possibly the most famous sign language sign in moviedom. While it may not have the blockbuster-feel of Jaws or recent Minority Report or War of the Worlds it still holds its own.
Also, don't forget to check out the documentary. It's nice to see how special effects people did things before people just sat around on their a** clicking stuff.
It's a classic for a reason really. You should definately pick it up. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 15, 2005 | | Summary | We are not alone! | Content
| Spielberg's vision of the outerworld is brilliant and captavating. The film is long, but it demands attention. Stephen wrote this and directed it. Dreyfuss is good, but a little to strong in his character. Melinda Dillon as the single mother who loses her son to the aliens is brilliant, so is Teri Garr. This film makes you think, can the government actually pull this off?...After seeing this, I believe it. The DTS version is incredible, the scene where Barry,(little boy), is abducted, is just out right crazy and loud.
Dreyfuss,(a man on a mission), has had a close encounter, is out to find out where and why. Believe me, if this was you, you would have sleepless nights. Dialogue is good, FX, is incredible for 1977, and the soundtrack is FANTASTIC. Spielberg's 3rd feature film is a breakthrough, and one mans drive and vision of his childhood dreams. Spielberg is the man, and he was only 28 then, War of the Worlds basically relies on CGI effects, still fun, but this is the best(friendly) alien encounter film ever. Hope that didn't spoil anything. Entertaining, hands down, or up, if your reaching for the dark skys. |
|
