Analyzing Spielberg's UFO Film: A Comparative Look At His Alien-Themed Movies

Henrik Larsen

6 min read

Post on May 06, 2025

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind: A Celebration of Wonder

The Ambiguity of First Contact

Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind stands as a landmark achievement in cinematic science fiction. Its portrayal of alien visitation isn't about fear or destruction, but about profound awe and the intense, almost spiritual, experience of first contact. The film masterfully uses visual spectacle to convey this sense of wonder.

• Iconic Score: John Williams' unforgettable score elevates the emotional impact of the encounters, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. The music intensifies the mystery and wonder, creating a sense of otherworldly beauty.
• Groundbreaking Visual Effects: For its time, the visual effects were revolutionary, creating believable and awe-inspiring images of the alien spacecraft and the extraterrestrial beings. These effects remain remarkably effective even today.
• Ambiguous Ending: The ambiguous ending, with Roy Neary's journey to the mothership, leaves the audience with a sense of hopeful mystery. This open-endedness has had a lasting impact on how alien encounters are depicted in subsequent films, inspiring a sense of wonder and possibilities.
• Cultural Impact: Close Encounters significantly influenced the public perception of UFOs, shifting the focus from fear and paranoia to wonder and curiosity. Its impact is still felt in modern depictions of alien encounters and UFO-related media.

Humanity's Response to the Unknown

Close Encounters also delves into the human response to the unknown. It showcases a spectrum of reactions, from fear and disbelief to ecstatic wonder and a yearning for connection.

• Diverse Characters: The film features several characters with varied backgrounds and reactions to the alien presence, highlighting the diverse ways humanity might grapple with such an event.
• Themes of Communication: A central theme is the universal desire for communication and understanding, transcending language and cultural barriers. The film suggests that communication with extraterrestrial life might be possible through music and visual cues.
• Hopeful Message: Unlike many alien invasion narratives, Close Encounters offers a fundamentally hopeful message, suggesting that first contact could lead to a positive, even transformative, experience for humanity. This hopeful message stands in stark contrast to many other Spielberg's UFO films that explored darker themes.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: A Story of Friendship and Loss

The Power of Childlike Wonder

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial takes a different approach, using the perspective of a child, Elliott, to portray an alien encounter. This perspective allows Spielberg to emphasize themes of friendship, empathy, and the magic of childhood.

• Heartwarming Narrative: The film's heartwarming narrative focuses on the unlikely friendship between Elliott and E.T., capturing the innocence and wonder of childhood. Its emotional resonance with audiences is undeniable.
• Enduring Popularity: E.T. remains incredibly popular, demonstrating the enduring power of its simple yet profound story. It showcases how Spielberg's UFO films can appeal to a wide range of viewers.
• Child-Alien Friendship: E.T. established a unique trope in science fiction cinema: the child-alien friendship, influencing countless films that followed. This theme is less prominent in Spielberg's other UFO-focused works.

The Emotional Core of Alien Encounters

Beyond the heartwarming story, E.T. delves into the emotional depths of an alien encounter. The bond between Elliott and E.T. is profound and moving, exploring universal themes of loss and longing.

• Iconic Imagery: The film employs iconic imagery, such as the flying bicycles and the emotional farewell scene, to reinforce its themes of friendship and loss.
• Exploration of Universal Themes: E.T. transcends the science fiction genre by exploring universal themes such as family, friendship, acceptance, and the power of human connection—themes less explicitly present in other Spielberg's UFO films.
• Emotional Resonance: The emotional core of E.T. resonates deeply with audiences, showcasing the power of cinema to evoke powerful emotions through the seemingly simple narrative of an alien encounter.

War of the Worlds: A Reimagining of Invasion

A Different Perspective on Alien Encounters

War of the Worlds represents a significant departure from Spielberg's previous alien-themed films. This film explores the darker side of alien encounters, focusing on fear, vulnerability, and the destructive potential of alien invasion.

• Societal Collapse: The film vividly depicts the societal collapse and the desperate struggle for survival in the face of overwhelming alien force. This depiction of a more realistic, violent encounter differs significantly from the hopeful tone of other Spielberg's UFO films.
• Realistic Alien Technology: The alien technology in War of the Worlds is presented in a realistic and terrifying manner, enhancing the sense of dread and vulnerability. This differs substantially from the more wondrous portrayals of alien technology in Close Encounters.
• Comparison with Other Invasion Films: While sharing the alien invasion trope with countless other films, War of the Worlds offers a uniquely grounded and realistic portrayal of such an event, setting it apart from many other science fiction films.

The Role of Family in the Face of Disaster

Despite the bleak setting, War of the Worlds utilizes the family dynamic to ground its narrative, highlighting the enduring strength of family bonds during crisis.

• Ray Ferrier and His Children: The relationship between Ray Ferrier and his children forms the emotional core of the story, showcasing the importance of parental responsibility and protection. This family-centric approach is present in other Spielberg's films, but in War of the Worlds, it takes on a more crucial role amidst chaos.
• Themes of Resilience: The film explores themes such as responsibility, resilience, and the enduring power of the family unit, even in the face of unimaginable destruction. These elements give the narrative emotional depth even in the midst of the alien invasion.
• Comparison to Disaster Films: War of the Worlds shares thematic similarities with other disaster films, but its focus on the family dynamic provides a unique and emotionally resonant perspective on survival.

Conclusion

Steven Spielberg's exploration of UFOs and extraterrestrial life in his films provides a fascinating case study in how to portray alien encounters across a spectrum of emotional and thematic landscapes. From the wondrous awe of Close Encounters to the heartwarming friendship in E.T. and the terrifying realism of War of the Worlds, Spielberg's work showcases the diverse potential of this popular cinematic trope. By understanding his approaches in these films, we gain a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling in shaping our perception of the unknown. For further exploration into the director’s unique cinematic vision, continue to analyze Spielberg’s UFO films and their lasting impact on the genre. Further research into the thematic and stylistic choices within these films will reveal more about Spielberg's enduring legacy in science fiction.