Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

In a desert outpost, a number of airplanes that have been missing since the second World War suddenly appear. A group of military led scientists investigate, and are told by a half crazed local that during the previous night the sun had shown. The man's face appears to be severely sun burnt.

Flash forward to rural Indiana. Local towns are experiencing mysterious black outs. Electrician Roy Neary is sent to investigate these outages, and along the way has an encounter with an alien space craft.

Greeted with disbelief by both his family and employer, Neary finds himself drawn to an isolated area through visions of a mountain-like structure. The story that follows concerns a man in search of what these visions actually mean.

While Close Encounters of the Third Kind is considered a science fiction classic due to the use of extraterrestrials in the film, it may better be defined as a adventure / drama. In fact, the film has more to do with a man on an incredulous journey amidst the doubts of those around him than it does with the idea of visiting space crafts . Aliens play a very small roll throughout the film.

With an excellent storyline coupled with impressive visual effects, Close Encounters of the Third Kind proves why it has remained as a much beloved film.

Starring Richard Dreyfuss and Teri Garr
Directed by Steven Spielberg

The Verdict: The Good

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