If you were on the fence about heading to the theater to see Steven Spielberg’s latest sci-fi summer blockbuster, now you don’t have to. This week, Universal put Disclosure Day up for digital download wherever you legally watch movies. Which means you can now join in the chorus of people being really mad that critics called it the best Steven Spielberg movie in 20 years.
And by “critics” we mean one critic. Me. I’m the one who saw the film early, loved it intensely, went to Spielberg’s filmography and didn’t find a film I loved as much until I reached 2002’s Catch Me If You Can. The quote, which made its way into my review after the social media post caught fire in all corners of the internet, set up some very lofty expectations. Spielberg has made some excellent movies over that time. Films like Lincoln, West Side Story, Munich, War of the Worlds, etc. But, for me, watching all of those—which I loved—didn’t give me that almost transcendent feeling Disclosure Day did, and so, I made the statement.
Some agreed, some didn’t, and many were in the middle, but Disclosure Day ended up with 80% of critics recommending it, and 70% of audiences, according to Rotten Tomatoes. Which is pretty solid. The box office is a little less impressive, having grossed only $235 million globally after five weeks. Though, if you look at how much Spielberg’s movies have grossed over the past two decades, with one or two exceptions like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, $235 million is roughly around the average of his films in that time. (Some examples are The BFG: $195 million, Bridge of Spies: $165 million, Ready Player One: $607 million, West Side Story: $76 million, and Lincoln: $275 million.)
We truly believe, though, that no matter what, you should give Disclosure Day a try. It’s a highly entertaining, incredibly well-made, and profound film. Even if you don’t think it’s Spielberg’s best movie in the last 5 years, it’ll leave you with plenty to think about and discuss. Plus, Emily Blunt is so good in it, it’s incredible.
Have you watched Disclosure Day yet? Let us know below.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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