One fan said it’s a “very pensive, intelligent movie that is times heartbreakingly sad”.

Still from Contact (1997)
Still from Contact (1997) (Image: IMDb)

A “masterpiece” sci-fi film streaming now on Amazon Prime is absolutely adored by fans. Contact (1997) tells the story of Dr. Eleanor “Ellie” Arroway (Jodie Foster), a US scientist focused on the search for extraterrestrial life, who picks up a mysterious signal from space.

It soon becomes clear it’s a cryptic message sent by alien life, and Dr Arroway is tasked with making first contact. It features an all-star cast, including two Oscar winners (Foster and Matthew McConaughey), with James Woods, Tom Skerritt, William Fichtner, John Hurt, Angela Bassett, Rob Lowe, Jake Busey, and David Morse co-starring.

The film was directed Robert Zemeckis and based on astronomer and planetary scientist Carl Sagan’s 1985 novel of the same name.

Still from the film
One fan hailed it a ‘masterpiece’ (Image: IMDb)

Fans have taken to IMDb to heap praise upon the drama, with one writing: “This, for me, is a masterpiece. I have enjoyed it more with each viewing.

“Carl Sagan was a great man. He promoted science in the way it should be, portraying the profound mysteriousness of our universe with humility, and without dogma.”

The ending remains somewhat controversial, with one fan writing: “Much has been made of the last 1/4 of this film, with many viewers feeling a let down.

“I get that. The amazing build up and tension in the third quarter of the film is quite unexpected, but if you approach the final quarter thoughtfully, you’ll see that it makes perfect scientific sense.

“That’s rare in any science fiction film pitched to mass audiences.”

Still from Contact (1997)
One fan urged viewers to read the book first. (Image: IMDb)

Another said it’s a “very pensive, intelligent movie that is times heartbreakingly sad”.

They called it the 2001: A Space Odyssey for the nineties, “since that movie was obviously somewhat of an inspiration”.

“The ending may disappoint somewhat at first view, but actually turns out to be quite haunting if you give it a chance. Enjoy wonderful acting, great direction and amazing special effects. Read the book first though. You won’t regret it.”

Another said there are “certainly are more than just passing similarities” to Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi masterwork, though “whereas 2001 relied on hardware to (almost) the exclusion of all else and placed a greater emphasis on “spectacle”, CONTACT strives for more substance on the human and sociological level”.

“It touches one’s emotions in a way that most movies never attempt to, much less succeed.”

Contact is streaming now on Amazon Prime.