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A botched, superfluous modernisation of Robert Wise's timeless science fiction gem of the same name, The Day the Earth Stood Still is an overdone and super-sized special effects extravaganza as well as a prime example of cinematic blasphemy. Instead of the 1950s mindset which pervaded the original feature (Cold War, fear of aliens, fear of nuclear attack), this remake has been resettled into a 21st century mindset (concentrating on environmental issues), and the result is a blockbuster poorly masquerading as an important "message" film. In the end it's extremely familiar, not just due to its nature as a remake but also because it's a fundamental duplicate of every global disaster/alien epic from the past decade (from Independence Day to The Day After Tomorrow to Deep Impact). The Day the Earth Stood Still is a CGI-laden retread chock full of clichés and stock characters (government officials, frazzled scientists, a kid etc.). Both the director (Scott Derrickson) and the main star (Keanu Reeves) of this remake are self-proclaimed fans of the 1951 original, but their collaboration is utterly soulless. Worse, The Day the Earth Stood Still lacks the simplicity, elegance and intelligence of the earlier film, employing special effects and pointless action scenes to replace passages of dialogue.
Following barely a few minutes of generic character development, Astrobiologist Helen Benson (Connelly) is abruptly plucked from her everyday life when the American Government summons a group of scientists for a top-secret matter. As it turns out, an object from outer space is on a collision course with Earth and the point of impact is projected to be Central Park in Manhattan. The object turns out to be a massive glowing sphere, and from it emerges an alien ambassador named Klaatu (Reeves) who assumes human form to communicate with the citizens of Earth. Klaatu is interrogated by United States Government officials, and he reveals that he has an important message for the planet but will only speak to the United Nations. He is denied of this, however, and goes on the run with Helen and her stepson (Smith) as the fate of the planet gradually becomes clear.
The Day the Earth Stood Still opens in 1928 and attempts to establish some back-story that was absent from the original movie. During this opening sequence, a nameless character portrayed by Keanu Reeves is shown on an expedition on a blizzard-infested mountain in India and stumbles upon a glowing sphere. This scene ostensibly serves the purpose of explaining how Klaatu looks a lot like Reeves in his human form. You see, apparently modern audiences are unable to use their imagination to figure out why an alien would resemble a human. But not knowing Klaatu's origins in the 1951 movie generated an effective, intriguing mystery. On top of this, the landing of the sphere in Central Park in this remake lacks the emotional charge as well as the jaw-dropping nature that Wise captured so excellently all those decades earlier. In the original film, there was a far greater feeling of confusion and excitement during Klaatu's arrival, but this is hopelessly lost here as Hollywood excess is in full display, showing the re-imagined Gort emerging from the glowing sphere. Neither the sphere nor the larger Gort are as impressive as their simplistic counterparts from over fifty years ago. Most disappointingly, The Day the Earth Stood Still lacks unique, defining imagery.
After a strong, fast-paced beginning (albeit with zero characterisation), the flick veers off course throughout its second half with clichéd "character building" sequences, pointless pyrotechnics, and a lot of running around in the backwoods of New Jersey. Klaatu is given inane abilities, such as being able to interfere with technology and the ability to revive dead people. As the film draws to a close, clichés are in abundance. The ending is also extremely rushed and unsatisfying, as well as lacking the ominous and downbeat warning of its predecessor. Another of its major crimes is displaying nations using stereotypes. The film is ambitious in scale, unsuccessful in execution. Australia is shown briefly, for instance...the postcard-style image depicts a couple overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. London also looks as if it's stuck in the '50s! Egypt and Middle-Eastern countries are shown as primitive civilisations who ride camels. In addition, the main action taking place in New York is an inexcusable cliché. It's as if Roland Emmerich directed the flick!
The original film offered an anti-war message - the human race needed to be eliminated in the flick because advanced weaponry posed a threat to alien worlds. Back in 1951, a handful of years after World War II, the message was timely. In 2008, global warming has become a major issue and it's addressed in this remake. Klaatu states his case for genocide: Earth is too valuable to allow its indigenous human population to destroy it, and therefore humans must be eliminated. The Day the Earth Stood Still conveys the message that humans are destroying Earth with industrialisation, cars and our thirst for electricity, but these messages are merely a plot device. Frustratingly, The Day the Earth Stood Still could be successfully updated to suit contemporary issues, but, with the story traded in for special effects, this remake is just an uninspired mockery of Robert Wise's original film. What a wasted opportunity!
The Day the Earth Stood Still is technically proficient with some terrific special effects, fantastic cinematography, and a pulse-pounding score. But all of the Hollywood magic on display cannot hide the fact that the entire film lacks soul and fails to engage on an emotional level. The effects themselves are hit-and-miss, mind you. The giant alien spheres are stunning to behold, and the large swarms of bugs are spectacular, but most of the effects integrated with the real actors look quite weak. Anything involving Gort looks absurd, and he's the film's least convincing visual element. Most of the big "money shots" (there are a lot) were used in the trailers as well, so you won't be missing much if you skip the movie. Surprisingly, Peter Jackson's Weta Workshop worked on the project. It's a shame that this is one of their most subpar efforts.
The film works better when it focuses on the drama involving the protagonists as this is when a viewer feels most engaged. Unfortunately, though, once Klaatu changes his view on humankind's potential to transform itself, it's unconvincingly motivated and it seems like the aliens didn't even do their homework before deciding to eliminate the human race.
The famous quote from the original Day the Earth Stood Still - "Klaatu barada nicto" - has become a cult sci-fi phrase over the years, held in the same esteem as "May the Force be with you" (from Star Wars) and "Live long and prosper" (from Star Trek). This remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still apparently contains these beloved words, but they're irritatingly inaudible.
Keanu Reeves is emotionless and wooden, as befitting a naïve humanoid alien not accustomed to a human body. Considering his impassive acting style, Reeves is a decent choice for the role of Klaatu, but his performance isn't anything special and lacks a requisite zing. Jennifer Connelly is merely serviceable in the fairly thankless role of Helen Benson. She's not memorable, and all the emotion she attempts to bring to the role barely registers. Jaden Smith (Will Smith's son) appears as a child who's a frequent source of irritation. Jaden's performance is fine, but his character is a stereotype - an infuriating stereotype as well. He starts out as the stepson of a woman he calls Helen, but by the end the two have bonded and he refers to his stepmother as "Mom". Along the way he's on hand to be a general pain in the arse. Veteran actress Kathy Bates also chews up a few scenes as the Secretary of Defense. John Cleese, however, makes the biggest impression, delivering the best performance in the film in what amounts to a mere cameo. Cleese's character presents an impassioned case to Klaatu, telling him why humankind should be given a second chance.
In order for a remake to be successful, it has to traverse a difficult path. It must honour the original while bringing something fresh, interesting and intelligent to the project. This remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still fails a little in both categories. The need to be a CGI spectacle trumps the desire to be smart and thought-provoking, and this is detrimental. In the end it feels too much like a generic disaster feature not unlike those released during the last ten years. The Day the Earth Stood Still is certainly entertaining and technically extraordinary with acceptable performances, but it simply fails to connect emotionally and it's too shoddy to ever be considered a classic in its own right.
4.5/10
