'The Phenomenon' Review: Detailed look at UFO sightings over decades reinforces idea 'we are not alone'
By the time the end credits of 'The Phenomenon' rolled, there was this quiet affirmation that Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) did exist. Their recordings were real, the witnesses were credible and the secrets kept were in fact true. Director James Fox has embarked on a journey to answer a question that has plagued mankind for numerous decades and long story short— 'We are not alone'.
For those who hope to see some Area 51 insider info, this documentary would probably do much more than that. Fox goes back as far as the 1940s to show how it all started and to where the world stands at present. It manages to cover all the prominent sightings in history— From Roswell, New Mexico, Project Blue Book findings, to the nuclear warheads that were scanned by these objects across the different airbases in different countries. While at the same time, it also outlines the need for people to know and for the goverment to put thorough research.
Known names make fleeting appearances in 'The Phenomenon'. From President Clinton’s White House chief of staff John Podesta, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, former Deputy Undersecretary for Defense Intelligence Christopher Mellon, former US Energy Secretary, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Jacques Vallee, who served as a scientific consultant on Steven Spielberg’s 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind,' all share valuable insight on the history and sightings of these UFOs.
Couple this with common people sightings and in fact, actual close encounters, Fox's documentary is a compilation of hard-hitting facts that will surely leave the audience spellbound. Narrated by 'ET' actor Peter Coyotes, the 100-minute feature explores UFOs, the connection they have with earth and the multiple secret studies that in fact were declassified only recently to give people a chance to either prove or shun the theory. And ahead of watching 'The Phenomenon', we would actually suggest watching History's 'Inside America's UFO Investigation' Seasons 1 and 2 to better grasp some of the topics that Fox covers.
There is no doubt this is a showcasing of painstaking research. And honestly, at the end of the documentary, there is this feeling we need to explore this part of the mystery deeply. Perhaps, from all the analysis, the constant studying, and the "so-called" final conclusions, we may have just scratched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to UFOs. 'The Phenomenon' fervently attempts to recreate some footage to give first-timers as a detailed look at what they actually missed.
While the pacing does come down to moderate in the middle stages, 'The Phenomenon' as a whole manages to hook viewers with some sharp imagery and crisp narration that just keeps adding to the suspense factor. It is a pity we don't witness this on the big screen thanks to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, but missing this would mean throwing away a chance to know more about the greatest possible mystery there is.
'The Phenomenon' premieres worldwide on all digital platforms on October 6.