The Day the Earth Stood Still, 2008

I liked Keanu Reeves interpretation of Klaatu. This is an update, and updates invite comparisons. I liked it overall, however I did not like the part of the Kid. He was the Brat From Hell. Jaden Smith, Son of Will Smith Plays the kid. He plays the part so well you keep wishing Jennifer Connelly would give him a swat across the rear. Jennifer Connelly was excellent. This movie is cerebral just as the original. Not a lot of flash or whiz bangs, but enough to keep it interesting. I rented it in Blue Ray, which also makes it a bit more interesting. I recommend it.

What did you think about this review?

Thank you for voting.

Like Dislike

Abuse report sent

Report abuse

I probably would have given this movie 3 stars if not for it being marketed as a remake. Inviting comparison to the 1951 classic does not reflect favorably upon this film at all. Also, can we please get a memo out to stop sucking up to Will Smith by casting his kids in stuff? Jaden Smith's "performance" grinds this film to a halt every time he appears on screen. I notice N3tflix doesn't even list him in the cast - a bit of wishful thinking, perhaps?

What did you think about this review?

Thank you for voting.

Like Dislike

Abuse report sent

Report abuse

I haven't seen the original so I was fresh to see a sci-fi movie instead of making comparisons. I wasn't also quick to assume that Keanu Reeves is going to make a bad appearance. Like many I found it suiting to make him emotionless alien. Well, I couldn't make myself like it anyway. The basic story is that an alien Klaathu lands on Earth, is greeted by military and shot by a trigger happy grunt (from off screen!). He announces that he wants to speak to world leaders but the goverment of the US will not allow it. You see Klaatu is doing his 30 minute evalution of Earth, which we, the human race, are killing and because he didn't get to UN leaders he decided that we are not worth another chance. Stating that as a synopsis would be missing a big point in the plot - Dr Helen Benson (Connely) is a scientist whose late husband had a son (Jaden Smith) with ex wife. Too much information? Well it is quite important since they spend most time with Klaathu. He finnally sees that Earth is more that it looks and rushes to stop the extermination process (See it to know the outcome). Its a wonder how he does that since he learned hate, betrayal and selfishness from the little guy (yeah he contributes a lot) There are many problems with the movie. While "The Day After Tomorrow" was criticized for depicting the end of mankind with pictures from US and briefly Japan and UK then "The Day the Earth Stood Still" only gives you aglipse at the CNN special. Even the when US is under attack we only get to see a couple of soldiers die, a trucker with his track, and an empty(!) football stadium. Its a menace and I felt it a bit but as it was depicted you couldn't really tell what was happening. The movie also focuses on the relation between Helen and Klaathu, as she realises that you have talk with him. That makes about half of the movie and it is a little strange to base a decision about an entire race based on that. There is also John Cleese as some brilliant scientist, who helps Klaathu understand a bit but his scene is so brief.. If you are, like me, easily insulted by movie logic that this movie is not for you as well. There is a Caruso one liner exchange between secretary of defence (Kathie Bates) and a scientist that makes the most sense of most military actions. Even though none of the weapons work we are shown to yet another sensless shooting. There is a little hilarity and very quick ending but it is very hard to feel for the characters. In fact it is easy to go with Klaathu, we should die so the Earth survives. The message of the movie might be that we should fear not for the planet but for anyone to evalute us on living on it. And the alien guest will most likely not hestitate for 100 minutes. Take 5 minutes to find another movie

What did you think about this review?

Thank you for voting.

Like Dislike

Abuse report sent

Report abuse

Even die-hard sci-fi fans will find the remake of "THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL" a clunker. The original film was not a five-star movie, either, but it's a masterpiece compared to this mess. The new version's actors, hardly stellar to begin with, have no chemistry and are given nothing to do (they get into and out of cars a lot). They're also given banal lines to read, mostly related to a sappy sub-plot about a kid coming to deal with his dad's death -- in fact, we're supposed to believe that only after Klatuu sees the stepmom deal so sensitively with the dadless brat that he decides to spare earthlings from total destruction. Oh, brother! Even Gort, the robot from the original, is well-rounded compared to these characters. I wish I could say the effects made up for a lackluster movie, but most of what we see onscreen looks like it could have been done on a budget laptop. The critics were right about this stinker.

What did you think about this review?

Thank you for voting.

Like Dislike

Abuse report sent

Report abuse