The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) PG13 - 3 Stars

I have to say I was anxiously awaiting this movie to come out but was disappointed in the results. Especially, when comparing it to the 1951 version. Yes all the special effects are there, but why such a Huge Electrifying, yet visually stimulating, space glob for one man and a large robot? I think I prefer the good old flying saucer type ship of old. However, I did like the flamed inferno they tried to hold Gort in while trying to penetrate his metal to see what makes him tick. That was probably my favorite part of the movie. For me at least, the remake would have been better if they pretended like it was still the 50's and just souped it up with some believable special effects. Perhaps added a tinny sounding twilight zone type soundtrack, that made the original such a success. The relationship between Jacob and this alien was not really believable to me. He had the "little poor kid" syndrome and I didn't feel that bond like the bond between the "eager to teach" Bobby and Mr. Carpenter in the 51 version.

I read a review saying feeling this nostalgic was like trying to recapture childhood memories. I just watched it for the first time since my youth and was not etched in my mind as one of my favorites from back then. But the concept IS from the innocent era of one alien man and his robot sent to earth to put it back on the right track. If you're going to remake it, than keep the same feel, otherwise take it to a totally new level, based on the original, maybe with more aliens causing havoc. Example, the 1964 version of War of the Worlds is one of my favorite childhood movies, I'll never forget. The remake was based on the same concept but the movie took it to a totally different scariness for the audience of today.

Scientists are immediately brought together when NASA discovers an object is rapidly approaching on a collision course with earth. Their mission, to come up with way to stop this gigantic meteorite from crashing into New York and taking out the rest of the planet with it. But there's no time, in approx. 70 minutes, life on earth will come to an end. As the team counts down the seconds awaiting impact, there is none. Instead, a huge cosmic sphere embarks in the middle of Central Park. Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly), is one of the first on scene to view the orb up close and as the smoke clears, out from it emerges an iridescent alien being. And of course, being the human race that we are, we immediately shoot it. After realising the creature is dying, it's rushed, under military guard, to a hospital hoping to repair it's injuries. But this extraterrestrial didn't come alone. His enormous bodyguard robot, Gort, emerges from the pod. Little does anyone know, these two beings are on a mission to heed warning of a global destruction since the people of earth don't value their planet.

Doctors are amazed as the alien begins to mend his own wounds and evolve into a human looking species who calls himself Klaatu (Keanu Reeves). He and his robot are here to meet with all heads of nations to warn them that they will be destroyed for the ridiculous wars, lack of humanity, and human destruction that has been bestowed upon the planet. Regina Jackson (Kathy Bates), Secretary of Defense, is determined to hold the alien under guard and refuse to grant him a his wish of meeting with the world. But Dr. Helen Benson, feels there is good inside of Klaatu and helps him escape into the crowd. Now it is up to her to make Klaatu understand that the human race is worth saving. Along with her son Jacob Benson (Jaden Smith), the two will stop at nothing to try and convince Klaatu to leave the planet intact.

20th Century Fox Distribution
Director: Scott Derrickson
Writers: David Scarpa, Ryne Douglas Pearson
Producers: Gregory Goodman, Erwin Stoff, Paul Harris Boardman

I viewed 4/09