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

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

Not exactly looking forward to The Day the Earth Stood Still, I naturally went in with low expectations. I pretty much went in to appease Father – it was either this or Quantum of Solace, and I’m not entirely fickle when it comes to Daniel Craig’s blond, thuggish James Bond. I did enjoy Casino Royale, but alas, his second venture as 007 was on too late for this weary student (for shame). So, Keanu Reeves’ CGI-fest it was.

The credits open in a starry sky, with suitable ominous music present. It was a crafty way for filmmakers to grab my attention – I’m simple; I instantly associate starry sky + said ominous music with good films i.e. Star wars, Alien. Actually, while my mind was beginning to drift away, I did perk up, until the title appeared, reminding me what I was about to inflict upon myself. In all seriousness, I do try to keep an open mind when it comes to viewing films, regardless of budget constraints and actors present– being faced with the regular deadpan Keanu Reeves doesn’t make it easy, however.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a yet another remake, and this time it's a modern update of Robert Wise's 1951 science-fiction classic of the same name. This time, however, Keanu Reeves' is playing Klaatu, a human-looking alien who lands on Earth complete with a giant robot in tow. In a rather marvellous scene, Klaatu is shot, and his robot goes on the defence, switching down tanks, and various fucking gigantic weapons which have surrounded them (courtesy of the army etc). It is a pretty cool scene, but you can't help but think; for crying out loud, another scene where human beings act stupid! Anyways, Klaatu is whisked away, and receives treatment by Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connolly), who believes that the alien is here to save mankind from destruction. Klaatu later escapes, and calls upon Dr. Helen to help him. She arrives on scene with her stepson, (played by Will Smith's kid), and thus a journey begins, filled with almost fuck-all, aside from one of the most disgustingly obvious examples of product-placement I can remember in a blockbuster.

Fuck you, Ronald McDonald!

As it turns out, the dull and vacant Keanu -- eh, I mean, Klaatu, isn't here to save mankind, but rather save the Earth. From us. That's right, humans fuck-up again. Honestly, by the end of this film, I had such a tension headache for the sheer amount of stupidity displayed on screen . . . I swear, I almost had a brain hemorrhage. Regardless, it's up to Dr. Helen and her bratty stepson to change Klaatu's opinion of mankind, and encourage him to give us a second chance.

Btw, here’s a tip, if you thought it was a swell idea to invite some pals around, and maybe play a wee drinking game, DON’T revolve it around The Day the Earth Stood Still. For example; if you’ve to take a drink every time Jennifer Connolly’s Dr. Helen Benson smiles, then you’ll spend your entire evening stone-cold sober. Similarly if you’ve to take a slug every time Klaatu makes you giggle – in a good way i.e. the witty dialogue, and not Keanu Reeves' acting ability. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a more humourless film, especially given that the characters don’t even smile. I know it could possibly be the end-of-the-world and all that jazz, but SMILE. I swear, drawing blood from a stone would possibly be easier.


I found the CGI atrocious. But then again, heaps and HEAPS of CGI just don't do it for me -- if it's your kind of thing, then this blockbuster may be for you. I personally didn't find it entertaining. Although I like Jennifer Connolly as an Actor, and I appreciate her ability, her character was so boring in this film --nothing particularly noteworthy at all. The wooden crown, however firmly rests on the head of Keanu Reeves. I really do wonder how much he got payed for this film. And again, I left the cinema with one big tension headache -- virtually every single human is portrayed as stupid and plain ignorant. Annoying.

Saying all this negative stuff, however, I do feel like The Day the Earth Stood Still did raise some interesting issues; namely how as human’s we’re not only destroying ourselves, but also our planet . . . who’d have guessed?!? I did get annoyed at the stupidity – everyone in this film is practically stupid. Not just stupid, but fuckin’ stupid. Honestly, everyone lacks common sense, and has this strange desire to fuck-up, blow shit up, blow shit out of proportion etc. Most of the film is dedicated to how fucking stupid humans are, and how’re we’re constantly fuckin’ up.

Ah, well, I think my Father enjoyed it anyway.