Bold new remake of the Classic THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
Written: Dec 12 '08 (Updated Dec 12 '08)
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Pros: A bold remake of a classic; Keanu Reeves is very believable as the alien.
Cons: The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying.
The Bottom Line: A bold remake of a classic, it has big shoes to fill. Updated it benefits from modern movie effects.
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| talyseon's Full Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still |
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) Directed by Scott Derrickson
"If the Earth dies, you die. If you die, the Earth survives." Klaatu.
Like the original 1951 classic, the plot is simple. An alien arrives on earth, causing panic. He has a mission; he must speak to all the world leaders. However, due to policy and procedures, he is never permitted to speak to the world leaders, never getting past that bureaucratic wall of "Why don't you tell me your message, and then I will decide if it is important enough to tell to our leaders?"
The differences here are his intentions, and his ultimate message.
When an object is seen hurtling toward Earth at near relativistic speeds, a group of top scientists is gathered quickly to deal with the aftermath of the projected strike on Manhattan. However, the astronomer clues them in there will be no aftermath; this will be an extinction event.
However, at the last second, the object slows splits, and the largest portion lands in Central Park. True to the original, when something emerges from the sphere, a nervous soldier ends up shooting the alien.
What follows is a very tense sequence as they determine if they can save the life of this strange visitor. They can, because beyond the confines of his bio-suit, he is completely human, and growing towards completion before the scientists eyes.
His name is Klaatu (Keanu Reeves) and he understands English. He wants to speak to the leaders of the world (New York was chosen for its proximity to the United Nations) however, our secretary of state, Regina Jackson (Kathy Bates) is far too cautious to allow anything of that sort. First, he will answer all of her questions, and then decisions will be made.
Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) is an astrophysiologist attached to the project. She senses that Klaatu will not suffer the indignities that protocol demands. She assists him by substituting the truth serum/sedative with H20. Klaatu easily affects his escape.
Then it is a game of cat and mouse, Klaatu staying a few steps ahead of the military. He hooks back up with Dr. Benson, and her step son, Jacob (Jaden Smith). From these two, he learns much about humanity. In the original, the kid, Robbie, was sweet and naïve. In this one the kid, Jacob is hostile, oppositional, and reactionary. He thinks the spaceman should be killed, just in case.
In the original, the message was this: "Embrace non-violence or we will kill you." Now, the message has altered. In 1951, the Cold War was heating up, and we faced mutual assured destruction. The message was relevant.
The message to the remake is relevant to the world situation today. However, Klaatu is not the benevolent and patient man portrayed by Michael Rennie. No, his motivations are very different, and much more "big picture."
Gort, the robot has undergone a similar update. Once 7'7" because that was the height of the man in the suit, the CGI Gort is about thirty feet tall, and much, much scarier. Our concept of "godlike" powers has evolved considerably, and thus so has Gort's destructive capabilities.
Does the new movie compare to the original?
No. The Special effects of the original are laughable by today's standards, visually, the remake is light-years ahead.
But the story, how does the story compare?
Well, I think the remake is a more mature look at what would really happen in such a situation. It dealt more honestly with the nature of human prejudice and our instinctive reaction of matching the unknown with violence born of fear. In that regard, I think it was far superior.
However, the ending is very abrupt, and very little is truly resolved. The issue they deal with is addressed, but hardly fixed. It just sort of ends. Everything up to that point is clearly structured, and leading in a definite direction. The ending is too abrupt, and rather spoils the flow of the entire piece.
Still, it was very well done, and overall, very enjoyable.
The Classic 1951 The Day the Earth Stood Still
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Scary Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Ending
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