The Day The Earth Stood Still

Having seen the original version of The Day The Earth Stood Still in the mid 1970's as a young teenager & thoroughly enjoying it (it stands the test of time as a classic sci fi movie of the 1950s), I was looking forward to the new version. However, I was filled with a little trepidation, as the trailer was as limp & wooden as Keanu Reeves acting stye (even Ben Affleck could have done a better job,but only just!).

The movie started off slowly & carried on at the same speed 'till the end.What can I say,except the special effects,acting, & directing were average. Gort was a big disapointment - I expected more from it/him,and the swarm of black insects(?) - metaphorical of plagues that have blighted mankind in the past.

Probably the best thing about the film was the low key but intelligent performance by John Cleese as the Nobel winning professer who played the father of the heroine Jennifer Connelly. No over the top rantings & ravings of his previous roles in Clockwise,Fawlty Towers,A Fish Called Wanda,etc....

Another plus was updating the story by removing the threat posed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s regarding the fear of nuclear war, and replacing it with probably our biggest fear today,ie. the threat of an ecological disaster on a global scale such as global warming,extreme weather changes,pollution,etc.

All in all, a major disapointment. It just goes to show that nowadays film makers who think that making an expensive looking movie with special effects to maximise profits can replace one with a great story are way off the mark. Dumbing down audiences & appealing to kids & easily pleased adults is not always the way to go,thank god for films like..........

PS Maybe Keanu Reeves should try his hand at directing (like Ben Affleck did with Gone Baby Gone and/or script writing).He might do as good a job as BA!)

PPS When did the Earth stand still in this new version?!

Real Reviewer Rating: 6/10