Movie Review: DISCLOSURE DAY

The World finally got the long-awaited third chapter in the Steve Spielberg “Alien” trilogy (following CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and E.T.) with DISCLOSURE DAY - was it worth the wait?

Mostly, but not absolutely.

There is a lot to love in this new Spielberg action film. The Cinematography of long-time Spielberg collaborator Janusz Kaminski is top notch (of course), beautiful, sharp and interesting. See DISCLOSURE DAY on the largest screen possible just so you can be absorbed in the visuals of this film.

And, while you are at it, you might as well see it with the best possible sound system around so you can bask in the sounds of ANOTHER wonderful John Williams score - still going strong in his ‘90’s.

Oh…and the performances! Emily Blunt (let’s go with MARY POPPINS RETURNS) is a strong anchor to this film and she gives one of the finest performances of a very fine career. She holds your attention when she is on the screen and when she gets to spar with someone who is equally as good — like 2x Oscar nominee Colman Domingo (NICKEL BOYS), Oscar Winner Colin Firth (THE KING’S SPEECH) or even Wyatt Russell (faux Captain America in THE THUNDERBOLTS*) shows off a comedy pairing with Blunt that was a welcome relief to the go-go-go seriousness of action and thought that is the first 2/3 of this film.

Only Josh O’Connor (the latest KNIVES OUT film) failed to match Blunt and this hurts the film as getting these two together is the focal point of the film and when they get together for the final act of this movie, it falls a bit flat (more on that later).

Oh…and special notice needs to be made of Eve Hewson (Maid Marion in the Taron Egerton ROBIN HOOD of 2018) and the always good character actress Elizabeth Marvel (NEWS OF THE WORLD) who wrestle with the religious aspect of Aliens in a way that felt like a real conversation and not a preachy stand.

All of these characters are wrapped up in a chase movie where the good guys (Blunt, O’Connor, Domingo) must out-fox the bad guys (Firth who does everything but twirl his mustache) and a bunch of faceless/nameless entities in black to disclose to the world the existence of Aliens.

This being a Spielberg film, he knows how to ratch-up the tension and his action scenes are clear, tense and exciting and are really the main reason to see this film.

Unfortunately, Disclosure Day lands with a thump at the climax with the inevitable pairing of Blunt and O’Connor not really lifting things and, inexplicably, the dismissal of all our characters in favor of a news anchor (in a wonderful turn by Courtney Grace) in the end. it’s an odd way to end the film and felt unearned and unsatisfying.

Blame for this ending has to go to ScreenWriter David Koepp (INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL) who has a track record of dull endings/bad dialogue. Why Spielberg continues to work with him is a mystery, but imagine how good this film COULD HAVE BEEN had the script and ending were better.

But, be that as it may, we have a new Spielberg/Alien flick that you can view on a large screen…and that is worth the price of admission right there.

Letter Grade: B+

7 1/2 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)