Disclosure Day review: Steven Spielberg proves he still has fastball with Indiana Jones 4 apology

It’s no secret that Disclosure Day director Steven Spielberg is fascinated with aliens, as the likes of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind showed. However, it’s the fourth Indiana Jones movie, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, that comes to mind when watching his latest flick.

In some respects, Disclosure Day feels like an apology to fans for the fourth Indiana Jones movie. It’s Spielberg at his best, proving he can still reach this gear after the semi-autobiographical Fabelmans.

Josh O’Connor stars as Daniel Kellner, a former cybersecurity worker for the government and a whistleblower. He is on the run from those at Wardex, namely Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), who are trying to stop him from alien disclosure.

Meanwhile, a Kansas City TV meteorologist, Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt), begins to notice strange events (like speaking fluent Russian or knowing everyone’s life story). They are called together and try to meet up with Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo) to finish the job.

Disclosure Day not only feels like a return to form for Spielberg, but it’s also the perfect blockbuster to start the summer with. It’s nostalgic because Spielberg is one of the greatest sci-fi filmmakers.

Disclosure Day review

From the very start, Disclosure Day feels like a vintage Steven Spielberg movie. Daniel is tracked down at a professional wrestling event, confronted by Noah and his Wardex crew. They try to retrieve the dangerous artifact, which, in the wrong hands, could destroy the world, from the whistleblower.

The whole Indiana Jones vibe comes from this opening scene (which resembles the beginning of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) and John Williams’ score.

These days, Williams really only does compositions for franchises he has been a part of for ages, like Indiana Jones and Star Wars, or Spielberg. Case in point, in the 2020s, he has composed three scores: The Fabelmans, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and now, Disclosure Day.

It makes sense, and it provides a comforting sense of familiarity in Spielberg’s latest. Williams has a signature style, and that sets the scene for Disclosure Day.

Not to mention, O’Connor’s straight and narrow character resembles the typical protagonist of a Spielberg joint. After all, Indiana Jones wasn’t an archeologist for the payday; he believed the artifacts belonged in a museum.

It’s another convincing performance for O’Connor, who refuses to be typecast. He has an earnestness that radiates in a role like Daniel.

Emily Blunt is the MVP

However, it’s Blunt who steals the show. She has always been great in supporting roles, but it’s easy to overlook her capabilities as the lead (the Quiet Place franchise has been a great reminder of her talents as well).

She certainly has the most daring role in the film. For one, as shown in the trailers, Margaret becomes a “vehicle” for the aliens, meaning she speaks in an unintelligible language. To most, including her boyfriend, Jackson (Wyatt Russell), Margaret seems crazy. Even worse, her character isn’t even aware of her capabilities, something Blunt is able to play off extremely well.

Blunt did an extraordinary job with this role. It’s ambitious, and she was fully committed. Leave it to Spielberg to get the best out of her.

Steven Spielberg has still got it

Just because he’s nearing 80 doesn’t mean Spielberg has lost his touch. He has a lot of fun utilizing the camera in Disclosure Day from the very start (which begins with the POV of a professional wrestler stomping on your face).

For the most part, Disclosure Day looks great. The alien design, for example, is a lot more convincing than Indiana Jones 4. However, there are a few rough patches, including a flashback scene that kind of resembles that AI Coca-Cola ad.

He also returns to religious themes in Disclosure Day. Spielberg explores how religious faith can clash with belief in aliens. Despite what some may say, perhaps there’s a way to believe in both.

Jane Blankenship, wonderfully played by U2 frontman Bono’s daughter, Eve Hewson, serves as the bridge to the religious themes. Jane was formerly a nun, which is important to the story. Despite her importance, it could be argued that Hewson was borderline underutilized in the movie.

Ultimately, having crucifix pendants and nuns gives Disclosure Day another layer to its story. It could’ve been as simple as a movie about aliens, but as he has always done, Spielberg added another dimension.

Should you watch Disclosure Day?

Disclosure Day feels like a classic summer blockbuster. It has been more than two decades since Spielberg made a thriller this exciting. Even if not intentional, he also effectively rewrites the script of the fourth Indiana Jones. If not for its modern setting, Disclosure Day is what Kingdom of the Crystal Skull could have been.

Screenwriter David Koepp, a legend in his own right, follows a familiar structure with his script. What sets it apart is its religious themes, which are familiar to Spielberg’s projects. The pacing is strong, even if there’s a slight lull in the middle act.

The ensemble is great. From the audaciousness of Blunt to the earnestness of O’Connor and Hewson to the calming force that Colman Domingo is, they all bring the movie home. Even Firth’s somewhat over-the-top (borderline mustache-twirling) performance is welcomed.

From the opening Amblin Entertainment banner to the closing credits, Disclosure Day has all the right qualities of a hit summertime movie. Very few have done it like Spielberg, whose long career becomes gaudier with each project. It’s great to see him having fun again.

Grade: B+

Disclosure Day will be released on June 12.

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