Saw Disclosure Day. Was very disappointed.
Disclosure Day’s marketing promises the film will tell audiences the secret truth about Aliens. Imagine the disappointment when you learn there’s really very little information to share, certainly nothing new or interesting. Every actor does decent albeit non-compelling work, except for Emily Blunt, who is very bad.
Blunt plays Margaret Fairchild, a weather woman who is suddenly plagued with unwanted psychic abilities. This might be the worst performance of her career. It’s hard to place all the blame on Blunt though, as she’s saddled with a criminally atrocious screenplay penned by frequent offender David Koepp. There are bad lines and dialogue aplenty. There’s also more than a few so-bad-they’re funny moments. Koepp should probably just retire already.
Josh O’Connor fares ever so slightly better as the lead of the film, Daniel Keller, a disgruntled ex-employee of the Men in Black (WardEx, a private company that has a contract with the Department of Defense). He also is given very little to work with and is a mostly flat character. At least he’s trying. Colin Firth is fine as Noah Scanlon, the head of the Men in Black. He has a good deal of humanity throughout, but lacks any real menace. Surprisingly, the real threat is Firth’s second-in-command, Casper Boyd, played by Henry Lloyd-Hughes. He’s pretty intense while on-screen, but is never given a reason for his determination or dedication to his mission.
Colman Domingo is likable but one note as Hugo Wakefield, the head of the good guys.Wyatt Russell only appears during the first act as Jackson Fairchild, Blunt’s concerned husband. He’s definitely one of the better actors here (along with Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, and Josh O’Connor). Eve Hewson is another one of the better actors as Jane Blankenship, the girlfriend to Josh O’Connor. She gets some backstory that doesn’t amount to much or go anywhere.
For my money there were only two decent scenes. There’s a possession that occurs during the second act, and a scene involving a train. The cinematography by Janusz Kaminiski is unappealing and bland, and the color palette is consistently dull and muted. The editing by Sarah Broshar shows potential in rare moments.
You’d think that Steven Spielberg would be able to bring something to the proceedings, but no such luck, unfortunately. His direction is completely devoid of passion. It seems like he is thoroughly uninterested in the story he’s telling. His work here feels downright lifeless. The consistently beautiful and pleasing score by John Williams is one of the few bright spots.
Running at an hour and twenty minutes, Disclosure Day is a slow-burn B movie that lacks thrills, action, or forward momentum. I wouldn’t necessarily say I was bored, but I can easily see how this could be a common complaint. Not much happens, and the Aliens get very little screen time. This is a slow-moving chase film where our protagonists have stolen data, information, and videos from the Men in Black with the intent to share all of it with the world. Naturally, the Men in Black don’t approve and make it their mission to hunt down and apprehend our leads.
Our villains don’t pose much of a threat and aren’t intimidating or scary. A film about a chase between two (mostly) average Americans and the Men in Black definitely has potential to be something cool, thrilling, and fun. Unfortunately, the behind-the-camera talent either weren’t up to the task or could care less. It’s shocking, as even Spielberg’s worst movies at least provide some entertainment value. That’s not the case here.
With a different script writer and maybe even a different director, Disclosure Day could have maybe delivered the goods. Instead, Spielberg and Koepp are too devoted to keeping the proceedings grounded and mundane, throughly ignoring every opportunity for thrills, tension, and fun in the process. Spielberg’s made multiple films about Aliens, so you know he has an interest in the subject. That’s why it’s shocking there is so little passion or energy on display here.
Disclosure Day is far from the worst movie I’ve ever seen and I don’t think I’d say it’s the worst movie of the decade. That said, it might be the worst movie Spielberg has directed or the worst directing he’s ever done for a film. It’s not worth paying full price or matinee to see it on the big screen as there is very little to recommend here (besides John Williams’ score). If you are at all curious, wait until you can rent this at home for six or seven bucks (or less).
2 STARS