Cutting Down Classics: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

With its 4K restoration and theatrical release this Friday, it's pretty clear that film audiences still enjoy and resonate with Steven Spielberg's first forray into science fiction 1977's Close Encounters of the Third Kind. And yet despite making every, essential sci-fi movie list known to man, constant parody and references, and lasting appeal, this movie never resonated with me. Thus, as part of our Cutting Down Classics segment, I thought I would dive into this movie doesn't work for me, despite being a film-making marvel.

Why Its Beloved: Cinematic Wonder & Benevolent Aliens

There's no way I can argue that Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a bad or poorly made film. It's a Steven Spielberg movie, that's almost impossible. And it has all of the halmark's of Spielberg's most iconic works. It's shot majestically. Everyone from the camera to the lead character emphasizes a sense of wonder at life droping in from the stars. And the film's final twenty minutes are simply masterful audio-visual storytelling.

This is also one of the few science fiction movies that emphasizes benevolent aliens. Historically, aliens are presented as an existential threat from the original War of the Worlds to Independence Day. In fact, the film is so aware of this, that the final scene's primary source of tension is about whether or not the government workers and onlookers are about to be vaporized. It's a hopeful story of connection in a genre that typically emphasizes alienation (pun most certainly intended). But I do have gripes.

Way Oversold

I'm a firm believer than the phrase "you have to see it" is one of the easiest ways to kill a future audience members viewing of a classic film. Not only have you portrayed it as an obligation but you've now you're implying that not liking the film isn't an option. Which means the film now has to somehow exceed your colossal expectations to get a positive response. 

And I'm convinced this is what happend to me with Close Encounters. Like I said it's well-crafted movie, and the effects hold up to this day, but if I'm expecting a world changing experience simply seeing a spaceship land with whisical tiny grey aliens isn't gonna cut it.

The Story Lacks Tension

If there's anything that you'll take away from Close Encounters it's the visuals or the score, and that's not just because this a film by Steve Spielberg that's scored by John Williams. It's because the story behind it all, from the characters to the actions leading up to the finale, are forgettable. As an example, I had to check IMDB for the name of Richard Dreyfuss' character in this film.

A lot this has to do with the film's structure which is clearly building to the finale where we're going to see aliens, because how do advertise a movie called Close Encounters of the Third Kind without delivering aliens, so it takes the teeth and interest out of everything else. Bright lights outside the house? I'm guessing that was aliens. Dad's going crazy? I'm going to assume it has something to do with the aliens. What's the government working on? Alien stuff.

The film feels like it's either one set piece or a thirty minute cut away from multi-generational appeal.

The Lead Character's Decision

My biggest beef with Close Encounters is the lead character of Roy Neary played by Richard Dreyfuss. For the majority of the film, I was arguably in his corner. I understood that he was experiencing things no one could understand and behaving irrationally as a result, so the distance between himself and his family made sense.

I was still onboard when he was infatuated with the alien ship landing and the aliens inside, because who wouldn't be drawn in by living proof of life beyond our planet. But the decision to leave with the aliens literally turned me against the film's protagonist and the movie as a whole.

He has a wife and children who depend on him emotionally and fiscally who is about to disappear that cannot be explained in a way to earn anything resembling insurance. He has primed his family for trauma and struggle.

I know this sounds super knit-picky but even Spielberg himself said he would change the ending if he made the film now.

Verdict: It's All Up To Your Personality

As I mentioned before, I don't think Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a bad film. I think it is a slightly flawed film whose minor mistakes are overtaken by Spielberg's technical mastery and sense of wonder. And for plenty of audiences that's why they liked this movie. The wonder of seeing aliens land on earth. However for me, if that comes at the expense of my human connections, count me out.