The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008): Grim remake of 1951 classic.
Written: Jul 17 '09 (Updated Jul 17 '09)
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Product Rating:
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| Bang For The Buck |
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Pros:
Decent Acting from leads
Jennifer Connelly
John Cleese
Cons:
Jaden Smith's role
Unrelentingly Grim
The Bottom Line:
The Day the Earth Stood Still is interesting without being enjoyable. Fans of the original will hate it, and it is so grim it is hard to love.
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| WulfsDen's Full Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still |
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) is arguably a remake of 1951 Science Fiction classic starring Michael Rennie. The two movies both concern advanced alien civilizations that have a problem with humanity wrecking the planet. They both send an emissary to Earth to "discuss" the problem. They both give the emissary a companion robot with enough power to "handle" the issue, should it prove necessary. Finally, they are both very much a reflection of the times in which they were made.
Consequently, one should suppose that the 2008 movies is a very accurate remake. However, I am sure that many fans of the original do not see it as a reflection of the neo-isolationism of the early 1950s, the post-trauma of WWII, and the planet-wide culture shock prevalent at the dawn of the nuclear age. Even those of us old enough to have lived through it, have trouble remembering how crazy those times were, as children practiced crawling under their desks to protect them from atomic bombs. No, fans today simply see it as a movie with a plot, and in that regard, the two movies are not even remotely similar.
Nevertheless, The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) is an accurate reflection of the era in which it was made. The post 911 Bush era insanity, which declared war on two fronts, and the widespread government support of expediency over legality, which led to illegal wire taps, unlawful imprisonment, officially sanctioned torture of prisoners, and state sponsored spying on its own citizens. And, in an era of doublethink and administrative stupefaction, who can forget such Bush-isms as "The US Constitution is just a piece of paper." In fact, the administration had its own personal robot who, while shooting pheasants, peasants and lawyers with equal glee, was ready and willing to destroy humanity in a moment. Surely then, it was this environment that demanded a remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Consequently, while the government of the original was frightened, stupid and incompetent, most of the problems were caused by miscommunications and panic. Not so the remake. The government, represented ably by Kathy Bates as Regina Jackson, the Secretary of Defense, is efficient, ruthless, has no regard for procedure, precedent or legality, and responds to perceived danger in the stupidest and most belligerent way possible. (Isn't Regina like Latin for Queen or something?) When you think of it, it's kinda obvious why a movie major or political science buff might consider this a very accurate remake.
The friendly alien, Klaatu, played by Keanu Reeves, is shot, imprisoned, drugged and interrogated by way of a welcome. Can torture and execution be far behind? After such treatment, it is hardly surprising that Reeves portrayal of the alien runs the gamut of emotions from p-ed off and angry to angry and p-ed off, and every single step between. In fact, this performance is so monotone (a word closely related to monotonous) that many people were confused as to which alien visitor was the robot. Rest assured that it is the really tall one with the single, gleaming red eye.
In fact, the only sympathetic person Klaatu meets is Astro-biologist Dr. Helen Bensen beautifully played by Jennifer Connelly. Apparently, despite being led by Queen Jackson, the government science panel has little regard for women scientists, since Bensen is the only one chosen. Apparently Director Scott Derrickson feels the same way about woman actors, since he gives Connelly little to do except stand around and look gorgeous, a task of which she is eminently capable.
Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, plays Jacob Bensen, Helen's bratty, obnoxious, and totally unnecessary step-son. It is not that the young Smith's performance is a bad one; in fact, he is all too efficient at it. However, his character is superfluous, brings nothing to the plot, and is as annoying as Jar Jar Biggs. Perhaps they felt that by showing how Helen was ignored, mistreated and abused by her ungrateful adoptive offspring, it would explain how a brilliant top-in-her-field scientist would empathize with an alien that ignored, mistreated and abused her. Whatever the idea was, it didn't work.
All that being said, the actors did a creditable job with the material they were given. John Cleese shone briefly as Nobel Prize winner, Professor Barnbardt. The dialog did not soar, but it did not flounder either. The special effects were somewhat overused, but they were pretty much seamless and first rate. The plot, although unrelentingly grim, was believable. It also clearly illustrated that the children of the 2000s have a lot nastier things to worry about than atom bombs. The score was pretty much unnoticeable, but in a good way.
Fans of the first movie were not going to like the remake no matter what, and I see little here to change their preconceptions. There is not even an audible "Klaatu barada nikto", for old-times sake.
Those that are able to see it with an open mind will find more of merit. The movie manages to be interesting and believably accurate, but sadly, it does so without becoming involving or enjoyable. You can never really engage or empathize with any of the main cast. For this I blame the director and screenwriters. If instead of focusing so much time, effort and money on the useless and unnecessary brat, they had instead developed a believable rapport between Klaatu and Benson (like the rapport that made Starman so superior), then The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) may well have earned its fourth star. As it is, three stars and only mildly recommended for fans of the horror/sci-fi genre.
Recommended:
Yes
Movie Mood: Serious Movie
Viewing Method: Other
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Script
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