DISCLOSURE DAY - - The King Has Returned

Review by Adam Donato

The last summer blockbuster directed by Steven Spielberg was The BFG almost exactly a decade ago. It hasn’t been his strongest era, though the standout being The Fabelmans. To some it may have seemed like his best days were behind him. After a four year wait, we finally get a new Spielberg movie and he’s going back to his roots. A genuine alien feature from the greatest to ever do it. Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor are sent on a mission by Colman Domingo to expose Colin Firth’s hard fought secrets to the whole world. After The Mandalorian and Grogu came below expectations, there’s a clear space for Disclosure Day to reign supreme as the science fiction event film of the summer. Cinephiles can worship Spielberg all they want, but will casual audiences connect with Disclosure Day like they did earlier this year for Project Hail Mary?

Movies like this are so unique. Original event films are so rare these days. Spielberg again and again proves here that he still has the juice. Obviously, cinephiles are going to connect with this film, but it also has themes that should connect with everybody. We live in a world where it feels like major crimes are being committed and the public is being hidden from the truth. The cathartic experience of journeying to disseminate information that people have the right to know. The way to achieve ultimate peace is through listening and understanding. All of these themes are thoroughly explored in this exciting thriller of a movie. It’s not the most bombastic blockbuster, but it has interesting characters involved in intense and unique action sequences. No filmmaker in history has more experience taking what seems like a simple science fiction concept and filling it with all this wonder and depth. If general audiences don’t connect with Disclosure Day, then we are truly lost.

The cast is littered with academy award worthy talent. The film starts with Josh O’Connor, but this is definitely a dual protagonist type of movie with Emily Blunt going on a parallel journey to O’Connor as the two evade this evil corporation. Both are great, but since Blunt is given heavier material, she’s the standout here. Her connection with the aliens is so interesting to explore and makes for some of the most effective scenes in the movie. O’Connor’s storyline is more focused on the extended chase sequence of the movie, which is exciting because he’s not typically an action star. Colin Firth delivers a menacing performance as the leader of this evil corporation, but doesn’t have an incredible amount of depth and doesn’t have any personal rivalry with either protagonist. His relationship with Colman Domingo is his best stuff, but that’s not explored until it’s too little too late. Domingo’s character is so shrouded in mystery throughout that he doesn’t have much to do besides whisper advice to our heroes on the phone. The only main character that’s not some multi nominee is Eve Hewson, who Spielberg had previously worked with on Bridge of Spies, as the romantic interest for O’Connor’s character.

There’s three action sequences that could be considered the best action sequence of the year so far. Obviously, there must be plenty of CGI involved, but everything looked amazing and felt grounded in reality. It helps that there’s great actors doing good performances of compelling characters so it makes the stakes feel heightened, but that’s a concept that is so lost upon most action movies. Spielberg just knows how to deliver a handsome looking movie. It’s shot beautifully. He is known for his usage of light in his filmography and this definitely continues that trademark. There’s a shot in the trailer of a close up of a deer’s face transforming into an alien face and it’s the coolest looking thing put on the big screen this year. We are truly watching a master at work. 

Disclosure Day is easily one of the best movies of the year. The long wait for the next Spielberg movie is certainly worth it. Low budget horror films have been dominating the summer so far and that’s been lovely to see, but it’s important that original tentpole movies from elite directors with excellent talent are successful if they’re good. Luckily, Disclosure Day absolutely delivers. It may not be his best movie, but that’s a ridiculously high bar when he’s made about a dozen perfect movies. Just like the people in Disclosure Day needed to hear the truth, audiences need to see this movie. 

Disclosure Day is in theaters June 12th!

Rating: 5/5