https://www.newscientist.com/article/2109339-the-science-behind-the-twisting-alien-linguistics-of-arrival/

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/11/22/a_linguist_on_arrival_s_alien_language.html

I would definitely say that it pushes scientific theory to the extreme, but I would also say that it's actually based on a bit more science than your typical Star Wars/Trek sci-fi flick.