This entire film, and particularly this final sequence, even in the expanded version, is one of the most miraculous pieces of cinema ever created. It fills the viewer with a sense of awe and wonder unlike any other film. And in doing so, I easily claim it as the greatest science fiction film ever made. The UFO's which had been appearing for so long throughout the film finally make an appearance to humankind at Devil's Tower in Wyoming, but not before implanting visions of Devil's Tower in the heads of several people around the world, including Richard Dreyfuss, who is compelled and willed to this location at this time for a reason he doesn't truly understand. The UFO's, in all their incredible splendor, arrive at the government facility set up for this encounter, and begin communicating via five unique musical tones all in different patterns. The intent of the aliens is still unknown. Finally the doors to the ship are opened, and the first thing to emerge are ... human beings. Human beings who had been reported missing for in some cases 50 years, now return in the same condition as when they left. The aliens have been here before, several times, it is apparent, and have not harmed anybody. They are ready to take a new passenger, and Dreyfuss is the one chosen. The aliens take him aboard, and in Spielberg's re-edited version, we are treated to a glimpse of what Dreyfuss views when he arrives inside the ship. Unlike other movies that are disappointing when the final "thing" is revealed, this sight is an awesome sight, and Dreyfuss can't fully take it all in. The aliens leave Earth peacefully with no other messages, no other ideas if they'll ever come back, and we never know why they are taking human beings with them -- perhaps for study, perhaps to communicate, we don't know -- just the greatest films of all time, it's up to the viewer to decide.

This sequence is brilliantly directed and truly is magical, and is mostly due to the fact that Spielberg orchestrated his images around the incomparable score by composer John Williams, who delivers an emotional and rousing score, which even includes a small portion of "When You Wish Upon a Star", which proves even more that Spielberg has become the Disney for a new generation, delivering movies of timeless appeal and awesome wonder. After all of the movies that have to show aliens as evil beings out to destroy the human race, this film still remains so fresh in its ideas, so accomplished in its filmmaking, and so awe inspiring in its story.