A smarter remake would have been based on the political ideals of its predecessor: fighting against the cynical cold war mentality of the time and trying to find something inspiring that humans have to offer the world and beyond other than fear and destruction. Instead, this version assumes that we’re worth saving but never explains why. At one point an alien agent tells Keanu Reeves (played by Keanu Reeves) that he has found the human race destructive and dangerous; humans need to be killed. But also, he has decided he really likes us and wants to stay. Do you get it? Neither do I.
Other than a couple of inane scenes like the one I just mentioned there is very little else I can recall about this film. I know Jennifer Connelly is in it and she has an adopted/inherited child who’s a bit of a spoiled dick. I know they visit John Cleese who pokes huge holes in Klatu’s (Keanu Reeves’) plan and Klatu ignores him. I know that Gort, the robot, unleashes a swarm of matter-eating bugs. Then they go away and Klatu leaves Earth and then the movie ends. Also, Klatu has magical powers that pop up in order to make life very convenient for him and avoid any suspense.
After watching The Day the Earth Stood Still I’m left with the same feeling as if I had just read high school poetry: vague feelings of banality and awkwardness. It’s rare to have an action film that can balance dullness and lack of plot so perfectly that one is left without a gist of disappointment or spectacle. The Day the Earth Stood Still manages to reach that perfect balance and creates the sense of being gorged on nothing more than air.
On a scale of -5 to +5
The Day the Earth Stood Still is a -.5
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