Movie Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

The remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still is nothing more than a Hollywood lump of expensive metal that, sure, looks fancy but there’s little more to elevate it into worthwhile territory. It’s neither terrible nor good; an “in one eye and out the other” experience that’ll only be remembered for how much it pales in comparison to the 1951 sci-fi classic.

The Day the Earth Stood Still tells the story of an alien spacecraft which mysteriously comes to Earth and lands in Central Park. Out of it comes an alien being known as Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), who looks exactly human, who is mankind’s chance to find out what the invaders want.

Who’d have thought that we’d get to the point where technically impressive special effects on the big screen wouldn’t wow us? In the past we've had many-a-film which were milestones in special effects, such as Star Wars and Blade Runner, and each time it's truly been a sight to behold. But over the years it’s become increasingly difficult to impress with special effects and as film after film had barraged us with ever-improving effects I think it’s safe to say we’ve become pretty desensitized to it. And The Day the Earth Stood Still is just another example of a technically well done set of special effects but that’s it really; the story is generic stuff, including the annoying decision to make it all about the “earth is dying” issue. Why must, what seems like, every film nowadays simply have to be about that issue?

There’s no denying that the original The Day the Earth Stood Still has its share of weaknesses, not least of which is it's hokey special effects (although some, I included, would argue that as part of its charm). But it was, and still remains, a deeply powerful and a strangely personal picture about humanity and how two different species (in this case humans and alien beings, but that’s interchangeable) deal with one another. The 2008 remake has effectively removed such admirable attributes, sacrificed them to have all the shiny special effects and general large spectacle. It’s the kind of thing that today’s audiences need in order to be entertained; the masses don’t seem to flock to the cinema unless a country’s worth of money has been spent on the film.

The problems for this remake are no different than that of any other; they must pay homage to the original in some ways but also bring something new to the table. Although it certainly does the second it is none the less inconsequential. It’s strange because what happens on-screen should by all rights be exciting, thought-provoking and engaging but it all falls prey to character clichés (such as the development of the relationship between Jennifer Connelly’s character and her step-son) and generic and convenient plot points (things seem to happen only to serve the inclusion of the spectacle). A film like this never works if it sacrifices many things in lieu of one and unfortunately The Day the Earth Stood Still is guilty of this.

Article Author: Ross Miller

I am an aspiring movie reviewer who has been running his own website since November of 2006. I have a varied taste in movies from big budget action flicks to foreign and art house stuff. The kind of guy who appreciates films like Citizen Kane, Seven …

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