Rating: 
Summary: Sagan asks the tough questions.
Review: Yes, I admit, I saw the movie before I read the book. The movie took some serious liberties with the book, presumably to make it translate better to a film (i.e. stepped-up sex, violence, and controversy). The written word, however, can go to depths that the film can not. The character of Ellie Arroway is fleshier and juicier when we are allowed into her most intimate thoughts. A friend of mine, upon seeing me reading the book remarked that the movie was "boring" and that it "dragged". I found the movie and the book intriguing because Sagan delves deeper into questions I've pondered about in the wee hours of the morning with roommates and close friends and asks the questions that never even entered our minds. Sagan probes the relationship between religion and science and the mutual animosity its respective champions have for each other and their doctrines. The building of the Machine sent (by extraterrestrials from Vega) as a plan over radio waves is almost a secondary plot thread, taking a back seat to more pressing political, theological, and scientific concerns. Imagine receiving this plan in today's world. How many people would assume it was a doomsday machine, or from the devil, or that it was a summons that could not be ignored from a higher technology? How many people would insist we build the Machine, and how many would insist that we should not? How does the world-wide community reconcile its differences, and "get along" so the Machine, which can not be done by one country alone, be built? Fascinating and thought-provoking for me, apparently 'boring' for others, I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Rating:
Summary: The best movie about ET contact
Review: I have read many books by Carl Sagan and his original TV series (Cosmos) was superb. Although he was a very scientific person and didn't buy the believe of faith, in this movie we see the man behind the mask revealing a story of cosmic proportion. The question to you - the viewer - is, are you ready?
Rating: 
Summary: Contact the Studio for your money back...
Review: Bad script, lame acting and over the top directing do not a good movie make. Where did they go wrong? 1. You never really experience the suspention of disbelief which is so critical for the genre. 2. The entire flick takes itself too seriously. 3. The film has a bad "government coverup" angle that looks lifted from an X Files episode. 4. You have noreason to have sympathy for any of the characters. Do yourself a big favor and see Kubrick's 2001, a classic that blows the socks off of this little flick. Even "Close Encounters of Third Kind" while nor being a favorite of mine has more humor and tells a much better story. Back to film school for the cast and crew of "Contact"! They could learn a few things about the genre by watching re-runs of the Twilight Zone, which had some good writing and drama...
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic journey of the mind and spirit.
Review: I saw this film in the theater back to back with Men In Black (what a contrast!). I found Contact to have multiple levels of philosophy mixed in with the wonderful special effects. The balance is excellent. You can "take it at face value" or dig deeper into the meaning of Jodi Foster's journey. Jodi is a fantastic actor, very convincing in her portrayal of steadfast belief in science before and her internal struggle after her trip. The supporting cast was excellent. Was it all a hoax or was it real?? If you let it, it will spark some introspection!
Rating:
Summary: A Phenomenal Book
Review: I am currently reading this book for the fifth time. It is one of the greatest books I have ever read. The characters are vivid, the ideas explored are profound. It is a positive book; it gives one hope for the future of this little planet. I would recommend it to absolutely everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst endings I've ever come across
Review: This book was shaping up to be a five star novel. I disliked the movie (which I saw first), but having read and enjoyed much of Sagan's non-fiction, I figured that it was the usual case of a good book being badly translated into movie form. There are definitely a lot of differences, and the book is far superior to the movie, but the same thing that I really hated in the movie is present in the book also. I can't be really specific with what I disliked about the story without giving everything away, especially since it is at the end of the novel. The problem is basically the reams of implausibility, with regards to both logic and science, that take place in the last 50 pages or so. Things just simply couldn't have worked out the way they did. There was too much evidence. I can't understand why Sagan would ruin an otherwise excellent novel with such a badly thought out ending, especially given the quality of all his other work. This is a mostly excellent novel, well written, and with some very thought-prevoking discussions in it, but the ending is simply unforgiveable.
Rating:
Summary: Contact is a moving experience
Review: True to the vision of Carl Sagan, Contact takes viewers on a not-so-fantastic voyage into the not-too-distant future. The movie is about hope, about faith, and about the relentless need for exploration that has driven humanity since we first stood upright. Jodi Foster is superb, and the visual effects stir the soul. Contact will inspire the inveterate explorer in all of us.
Rating:
Summary: A great film, but sells the audience short
Review: How many films do you see that compel you to debate its meaning for hours afterwards? "Contact" moves me emotionally, spiritually and intellectually every time I see it. On the surface, the story is an exciting tale of alien contact and the wonderous vastness of space. A visually intense film, it is complemented by a passionate performance by Jodie Foster, and despite those who don't hold McConaughey's acting ability highly, Matthew delivers powerfully. To me, the film brings a compelling comparison of science and religion, emphasizing the importance of faith for both ambitions. Others feel the film contrasts science and religion, with the former based on probabilities and the latter on faith. Whatever you take from this film, it is guaranteed to occupy your thoughts well after the credits roll. I would have given this film 5 stars except for one unneccesary and detracting scene. I will try not to reveal too much in detail, but the hackneyed inclusion of government conspiracy downplays, or rather eliminates, the audiences' need to share the same "faith" as Palmer (McConaughey) and the population (in the movie). This scene continues to irritate me and I believe sells us, the audience, short in our ability to handle an inconclusive ending. Despite this distraction, I still hold this film as one of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I absolutely loved Carl Sagan's novel. The movie did absolutely nothing for me. The novel speaks to you on so many levels. It is the true Sagan speaking. From his feelings on contemporary political agendas, to his thoughts on religion, Sagan gives his readers an insightful look into the issues of the modern world. I think what disappoints most readers of this book is that Contact is not only about "contact". The movie may have been, but the novel is not. I think that this is what makes it outstanding novel. The movie was made so that fourth graders would have no problem understanding the complexities of contacting an alien race. The novel was NOT created for fourth graders. It was created for intelligent adults who are able to gain insights from something other than television. I was not disappointed by Contact. It lived up to my expectations completely. I loved the ending and can admit to crying (as well as laughing) during various parts of the novel. If you want to experience the real Contact, and not the dumbed-down movie version, read Sagan's novel. You won't regret it. In fact, you may be amazed.....
Rating: 
Summary: The movie is better
Review: This is one of those odd cases where the movie is better than the book. I saw the movie first and enjoyed it. Then I read the book. The book is drawn out and slow moving, the characters are poorly developed and it is full of Sagan's political agenda that detracts from what should be a fun sci-fi novel.
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