Rating: 
Summary: Pure Sci-Fi with awe-inspiring scenes and deep human thought
Review: This movie is what I call "Pure" Sci-Fi... one that takes our reality, then adds a Science-Fiction element to it. [i]Contact[/i] will not bore you if you get into the movie. Ellie Arroway, portrayed beautifully by Jodie Foster, shows you just what a scientist's life is like, slightly Hollywoodized, on the silver screen. Her spiritual, emotional, and scientific journey is one I don't think you'll want to miss.Are there aliens out there? Is the main question and plot of this movie. "It would be an awful waste of space." It also delves a bit into the politics of the science world, which is refreshing and different for a Sci-Fi film. The plot is also quite similar to the book, which I also recommend reading. The DVD, while preserving the sound and video to almost perfection, has included some worthwhile features. The "making of" sequences tell quite a bit how a movie comes to light. Last but not least, if you're still not convinced, then you should get the movie just for the beginning and climax. Keeping an open mind will help you understand just how those parts of the film are interesting, theoretical, and contraversial.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging and surprisingly human in scale
Review: This is not your typical sci-fi movie. If you want spaceships blasting each other or evil aliens with mental powers, try Star Wars or Dark City. This is the culmination of a lifetime spent communicating the awesome potential of scientific discovery in layman's terms. I am, of course, speaking of Carl Sagan, the heart and soul of this movie. Sagan's vision, so eloquently translated by Robert Zemeckis and brought to life by Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey, is a realistic exploration of mankind's reaction to first contact with extraterrestrial intelligence. Skepticism, hope, wonder, fear, distrust, and wide-eyed enthusiasm greet the "Message from Vega." Zemeckis stays true to Sagan and delivers a thoughtful character study, a surprisingly even-handed debate on religion and science, and a commentary on mankind's readiness for entry into the Galactic milieu. One of the finest and most scientifically (circa 1990's) accurate sci-fi dramas of the past 10 years. (Except for the fact that we search thousands of frequencies at once, so humans don't actually listen to signals from space.) Foster's performance is worth the price of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: NOT A THRILLER, BUT A THINKER
Review: Off the bat, be aware that Contact is not an "alien" movie, but so much more. Within the first minute of this film, you know you are about to watch something completely original. (Just for the beginning this is worth watching, as it deserves the award of best opening sequence ever (with Memento a close second)) It focuses on the struggles that Ellie (Foster) faces as a scientist grappling with losses of those close to her, opposition from her superiors and peers, and her atheistic attitude toward life. The movie ultimately focuses on the concept that, whatever you want to call it, there is "more" out there. Foster does a great job of acting, and while the movie runs long at 2 1/2 hours, it's an interesting and unique story. More dramatic than action-packed, Contact is touching in its telling and will make you think about the possibilities that lie out there.
Rating:
Summary: Great for the Home Theatre System....
Review: This was an absolutely GREAT movie to watch with the home theatre system! My God, I could literally FEEL the vibrations of the ignition systems as the space rocket started to take off! Jodie Foster is great as always in this terrific Sci-Fi thriller. I especially like how she captured the uncertainty, but resolve as she heads toward the unknown. If only to get a rush from the great sound effects, this movie is a winner!
Rating:
Summary: On par with Close Encounters
Review: Robert Zemeckis' adaptation of Carl Sagan's novel is as thought-provoking and intelligent as Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The film contains two prominent themes: a conflict between science and religion, and the wonder and excitement of discovery. It is slow-moving and deliberate, and yet contains some incredible special effects in the final act. The result is an extremely absorbing and up-lifting experience. Contact centers around a bravura performance by Jodie Foster as Dr. Elinor Arroway, an astronomer obsessed with the idea of life in other galaxies. The Foster character is in virtually every scene of the movie, but is aided by terrific supporting characters. In particular there is Ellie's father (David Morse), who motivates her as a child to pursue her dreams; Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey), theologian and love interest; and billionaire Hadden (John Hurt - almost unrecognizable), who provides the financial stability for Ellie at just the right moment of her life. The discovery of a signal from outer space by Ellie triggers the beginning of the second act of the film, and I had great fun at this point watching the world come together, trying to figure out what to do next. I won't reveal any more, since the key to the enjoyment of the movie is discovering at the same time as the characters. Definitely a must-own.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite DVDs!
Review: I feel like Contact is a gift to humanity from astronomer Carl Sagan. It's an incredibly moving story about a scientist who lives out a scenerio that has played out in the minds of real life dreamers like myself. The ultimate "what if...?". Indeed, what if THEY (E.T.'s) contacted US (Earthlings). Director Zemeckis does an excellent job of transferring novel to screen. "Too long" say some critics. No way! Perfect. Things play out quite well. The "backing into space" opening sequence is probably my personal favorite of all time. I'm thrilled to live in a time when movie makers can create such magic. It's worth the price alone to see the first few minutes of this film. The cast is very good with Jodie Foster and John Hurt standouts. Foster is as good in this as she was in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. She has moments of pure magic...I get misty eyed. And John Hurt's "Wanna take a ride?" is my favorite character. The DVD transfer is one of the best in my collection. The picture and sound are excellent. If you're into 2001 A Space Odyssey and the like, then Contact should be on your shelf.
Rating:
Summary: one of the smartest sci-fi films ever made
Review: while i'm not generally a fan of adaptions, this film is one of the few that manages to stand alone while keeping the message and spirit of the original work intact. one of the smartest and most spiritual films of the genre, this is a movie that even those who aren't necessarily fans of sci-fi can enjoy. jodie foster is absolutely luminous in the central role of dr. ellie arroway - a woman driven to find intelligent life in outer space. as the movie unfolds, we learn where that goal and that drive come from. matthew mc conaughey is suprisingly strong as reverend palmer joss, a man intent on helping others findfaith in a society that worships technology. the supporting players are also exceptional -- particularly william fichtner as a blind colleague of dr. arroway's, and the constantly underrated david morse as her father, the man who fostered her quest. even tom skerritt stops chewing scenery long enough to turn in a good performance. contact is moving, thought-provoking, and entertaining, as well as visually stunning from first frame to last, and stays with the viewer long after the credits have rolled.
Rating: 
Summary: Silly and contrived effort
Review: This movie should have been good. In fact, it could have been great if it simply had been a science fiction movie. Instead we are treated to a bad script, an annoying love affair and an overly sophomoric and contrived ending. Loved the concept and special effects, but ended up feeling embarassed for the actors and their forgetable performances.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: Jody Foster's best movie. Carl Sagan's brilliance shows through!!
Rating: 
Summary: Intellectual Dishonesty at its Best.
Review: This film is filled with absurd factual and scientific inaccuracies that are an insult to any remotely educated individual. Even an introductory course in Physics will allow for the dismissal of a large variety of claims made here. Worst of all is the presentation of fiction as fact, which discredits all fields of science and aids in spreading ignorance. Clearly this movie is meant to be a tool for religious doctrine. Contrary to the movie's disturbing claims, the percentage of people who believe in a spiritual being is NOT 95%.
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