Remake not up to par, or date

The Day The Earth Stood Still

The Day The Earth Stood Still remake fell short of expectations and was unable to change with the times.

The world today has become an over industrialized place, where technology is the most important part of people's lives. A team of scientists are brought together to prepare for the aftermath of a “meteor” that is set to hit Manhattan dead on. Included in this team is Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly), a micro biologist. Amazingly, instead of crashing into the earth and killing millions of people, the object slows down and lands in Central Park. The team, along with military back up, make their way to the park. When the team approaches the object, a figure exits the mysterious sphere and makes its way toward the team. Just as Helen and the mysterious figure are about to touch, someone shoots the alien, forcing the sphere to take actions. Another figure exits; however, this figure is a huge robot, which shuts down the military's machinery long enough to ensure that the alien is alright, and then returns to a state of rest.


The alien is rushed to a military base to receive medical attention. It begins to go through some interesting changes, almost shedding its outer skin, to reveal something that looks human, and can understand and speak English. Helen, who was the first person the alien saw after arriving on Earth, comes to help put the alien at ease. She discovers that his name in Klaatu (Keanu Reeves) and he wishes to speak world leaders.

Secretary of Defence Regina Jackson (Kathy Bates) cannot allow this to happen and decides that Klaatu must be drugged and interrogated to determine his purpose for coming to Earth. Helen, who is sure that Klaatu means no harm, injects him with water instead of drugs so that he can escape. Once free, Klaatu seeks Helen out and she learns his purpose for coming to Earth. He tells her that if the Earth dies, humans will die, but if humans die, the Earth will survive. He was sent to Earth to bring about the end of the human race. Helen is now the only person that can prevent the destruction of man by proving to Klaatu that humans can change and are worth saving.

The Day the Earth Stood Still lacks presence, and is very out dated with its plot. It is clear when watching this film that its story is from another time.

The original short story called “Farewell to the Master” by Harry Bates was published in 1940 in a science fiction magazine. In 1951, the first film was released in black and white, after the director was inspired by Bate's short story, and it was a success. In 1976, Arthur Tofte wrote a full-length version of the story, which follows the film closely and even uses pictures from the film.

Now in 2009, with few changes to the basis of the story, it definitely feels old. Also, there is no way that a story written now would use a name like Klaatu for the alien. There is just so much more that could have been done with this film to help with its success in the twenty-first century that wasn't done.

Jennifer Connelly (Blood Diamond) and Kathy Bates (P.S I Love You) were both good in their roles as strong women just trying to save the planet.

The film also starred Jaden Smith (Will Smith's son) and John Cleese. They couldn't have picked a better person to play Klaatu than Keanu Reeves (Street Kings), because he doesn't emote well, so playing a character that isn't human and doesn't understand human emotions, suits him well.

I recommend this movie to fans of the original 1951 film, because my Dad liked the original, and he liked the remake as well, and to science fiction junkies.

Final Words: Saw it. Was disappointed. I wanted to kick Jaden Smith the entire movie.