‘Contact’ Story’s Approach Is Alien to Young Viewers

In “Contact,” a young scientist played by Jodie Foster never wavers from her search for extraterrestrial life. When a distant signal finally comes in, she prepares to take a space-hopping trip to a faraway galaxy. Rated PG.

President Clinton isn’t the only one complaining about “Contact.” Kids, especially young ones, are shaking their heads over this long, thoughtful movie.

The president is upset that his image is used frequently (and without his permission) throughout the film. Youngsters have no problem with that; what they don’t like is the laborious way the flick unfolds and finally reaches its bold but confusing climax.

Kids who enjoyed the space-alien antics of “Men in Black” were, for the most part, bored by “Contact,” obviously a more sophisticated and serious take on the question “Are we alone?”

Jacob Goldenberg, an 8-year-old from Costa Mesa, yawned broadly after a recent screening, then pointed out that there was too much adult stuff to wade through.

“I was waiting [for Jodie Foster’s character] to find some [aliens], but I don’t know,” he said.

Jacob wasn’t even sure Foster actually made contact. The ending, which is somewhat abstract and doesn’t give the audience a clear idea of just what the extraterrestrials are, threw him off. The fact that he began dozing halfway into the 2 1/2-hour film also had impact.

“I just got tired,” Jacob said, a little embarrassed.

A 9-year-old, Cynthia Seymour of Santa Ana, also felt the filmmakers could have made their point--that there is life out there--more quickly. All the governmental machinations surrounding Foster’s leap into the unknown, including interference from a “security-advisor” goon played by James Woods, left her yawning too.

Cynthia did like the love affair that developed between Foster and an activist priest played by Matthew McConaughey, but she still expected more from “Contact.”

“They [Foster and McConaughey] were nice, but where were [the aliens]?” Cynthia wondered. “It should have had more action.”

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Teenagers were also critical, although some were more forgiving.

Robert Helgeland, 15, from Orange, enjoyed the early scenes in which Foster’s dedication is clearly shown. He appreciated how she refuses to give up, even though many other scientists ridicule her. Robert also liked that director Robert Zemeckis first presents Foster as a young girl, completely enthralled by the universe.

That was something he could relate to. “I’ve been into astronomy ever since I was a kid,” Robert explained, “and what she was into made sense to me.”

Robert’s friend, Lisa Sanchez, 14, also from Orange, was impressed by the film’s classy special effects, especially at the end. As Foster hurtles through light-years of space, her face goes through a few contortions, some subtle, others not. The way the galaxies are depicted also thrilled Lisa.

“That was so cool, all the stars and planets and colors,” she said. “It looked pretty real to me.”

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Parent Perspective: “Contact” was a winner to most parents. Although they conceded that young children would squirm through much of the film, they stressed that it offers a positive message and a few exciting moments.

“I came alone, but I wouldn’t hesitate taking my son, who’s 11,” said Mark Gold, 42, from Irvine. “I think it says some good things about how we have to have open minds about the universe.”

Traci Hanford agreed. The 38-year-old Costa Mesa resident brought her 10-year-old daughter to the film and said they both liked it.

“Sure, she fidgeted some, but I just gave her more popcorn,” Hanford said. “She got turned on at the end, [and] it’s great that [the movie] showed that not all aliens are ugly monsters.”