Roger Ebert's Near-Perfect Review of Charlie Sheen's 1996 Sci-Fi Flop

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In the summer of 1996, critics were frustrated by the perceived emptiness of big studio releases like "Twister" and "Mission: Impossible". However, Roger Ebert emerged as a staunch supporter of the intelligent and well-acted alien invasion thriller "The Arrival" starring Charlie Sheen, praising its surprising plot twists and creative visuals over the flashy action of other summer blockbusters.

Why it matters

Ebert's glowing review of "The Arrival" highlighted how the film stood out from the crowd of forgettable summer blockbusters by prioritizing coherent storytelling and character development over empty spectacle. His championing of the film helped bring attention to a thoughtful sci-fi thriller that was overlooked by many at the time.

The details

In his review, Ebert commended "The Arrival" for its surprising plot twists, strong performances, and director David Twohy's creative visuals. He was particularly fond of a major plot twist that he revealed in the review, feeling that Twohy had discovered a fresh approach to depicting an alien invasion. Ebert also noted that the film's protagonist, played by Sheen, had an enthusiasm and determination that he found endearing, even if some of the character's scientific plans were questionable.

• The Arrival was released in the summer of 1996, at the beginning of the summer movie season.

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