Just when you thought one of last year’s best movie “Ex-Machina” was an anomaly in today’s overly crowded actiony/sequely/superheroy multiplex, in comes “Arrival” to prove you wrong.

When an alien race make first contact in different cities across the globe, Dr. Louise Banks (Not Lois Lane), played by Amy Adams, is hired by the military to communicate with the visitors and more importantly, determine what they want from us. SPOILER ALERT: It's not to copy our political system. With the doomsday clock ticking, thanks to panicky Goverments (imagine that) – not everyone is as “accepting” about the new visitors as our protagonist is. Louise joins with theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly, played by the always charismatic Jeremy Renner, to communicate with the “heptapods”. When she begins to decode their complex written language, it triggers memories of her daughter, which become increasingly intense throughout the film.

Directed exquisitely by Denis Villeneuve (“Prisioners”, “Sicario”) and headlined by a powerhouse performance by the always great Amy Adams,“Arrival” is an alien invasion movie for grown-ups. Imagine “Independence Day” without the over the top action or cheesy one-liners (No “Welcome to earth” lines here folks).

What lacks in action and explosions it compensates on buildup, real tension, big tangible ideas and above all… drama. It's no surprise that this film doesn’t really fit a sci-fi mold. As David Linde, one of the veteran producers of the film told us in a recent interview, “Every good movie should be a drama.” Amen.

Because of this,“Arrival” elevates the genre and is being advertised as and tackles weighty serious subjects in more compelling and unexpected ways.

Despite all of these merits, “Arrival” slows down a bit in the middle. Which might only increase the tension leading into the second half of the film, or might just loose some viewers waiting “stuff to blow up.” 2^nd SPOILER ALERT… it doesn’t happen. Well, at least not in the way you think, which is admirable… and ballsy.

Setting that nitpick aside, this is ambitious, remarkable filmmaking at its finest that deserves to find an audience…. A mature audience. It’s a film that should make the viewer ask “what makes our species human?” And how difficult but pivotal it is to learn how to communicate with each other. A theme that couldn’t ARRIVE at a better time.

The main reason all these big ideas in this type of setup works is Villeneuve's approach. This guy knows filmmaking, pacing and emotion. Just check out his latest two films and you’ll know what type of level of filmmaking you are in for when you go see “Arrival.”

With help from one of the hottest cinematographers in town, Bradford Young (“Selma”, the upcoming “Han Solo” Star Wars spin off), he makes a beautiful looking world with atmospheric compositions and naturalistic patient camera work that would make Kubrick proud.

This material (based on a short story by Ted Chiang) in this director’s hands not only achieves the level of mature sci-fi we rarely see, but the way an audience can have an immersive experience without requiring 3D glasses or crazy set pieces.

This is definitely one of the best films of the year so far and a must watch in a movie theatre… just don’t see any of the trailers or advertising which will trick you into thinking you are going to watch a typical genre movie… not the movie you deserve. P.S. Rest assure… that Blade Runner sequel couldn’t be in greater hands.

Arrival is coming to theaters November 11, 2016.