The Day The Earth Stood Still

Review by Sean Lynch
Watch Trailer : The Day The Earth Stood Still

There seems to have always been a major kink in the formula of epic disaster or alien invasion movies - a kink which still, even in this day and age of iPhones and electronic versions of Monopoly, have yet to be ironed out.

And it's a real shame to - because it's one of the greatest genres cinema has to offer.

But where does the problem lie?

Aside from the hammy and wooden performances, the questionable CGI graphics and the loose plotting - they always have so much going for it.

Think about it - when have movies like Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow or War Of The Worlds ever let you down?

It's not the explosive openings, it's not the cool premise explaining why or  what attacks are coming, it's not the constant building of fear inducing paranoid notions of "The world will end... AND SO WILL YOU" and it sure as hell isn't seeing aliens blow shit up.

The weak link is always the inevitable rushed conclusion that can never quite logically justify the events of the previous 90 minutes.

Oh yeah, and that odd need to have aliens ask that question "Love... What is this... love?".

Without doubt, it always leaves you feeling more hollow than a recently "initiated" prisoner.

So bear that in mind when venturing into the newly revamped sci-fi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Keanu Reeves (leave your "Reeves is more wooden than Nicole Kidman" jokes to yourself please) portrays Klaatu, an alien whose arrival on our planet triggers a global upheaval.

As governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind the visitor's appearance, a woman (Jennifer Connelly) and her young stepson get caught up in his mission and come to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described "Friend to the Earth".

As with most Sci-Fi and horror flicks, the aim here is to address an intolerance or social issue under the guise of an alien suit. And Earth is no different.

There is quite a cool little message on offer here (in a nutshell, humans are the real danger to the continued existence of the Earth, not space men) but for some reason it gets totally lost after the halfway mark as we race towards an ending that doesn't involved EVERYONE meeting their demise.

There is some serious back flipping done here - and I'm sure I'm not the only one will leave the cinema thinking "You know what, that Klaatu kind of had a point, we are selfish bastards!".

Seriously, a far more satisfying movie would have involved him sticking to his convictions and not getting sucked in by that one ability that defines all humans... not the ability to love - but the ability to manipulate others using emotions in order to get your own way.

There is a good summer movie buried here somewhere (you just have to ignore some downright stupid throw away roles from John Cleese and Kathy Bates that defy explanation) with some cool graphics and a truly gripping first act - but the ending will leave you feeling a bit cheated.

T-800 summed it up perfectly on behalf of all non-human species hell bent on destruction: "Now I know why you cry..." - it's because there is no way modern day audiences will ever experience a satisfactory "happy" ending to a Sci-Fi flick.

2.5 out of 5

The Day The Earth Stood Still
Australian release: 25th December, 2008
Official Site: The Day The Earth Stood Still
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates, John Cleese, Jaden Smith, Jon Hamm
Director: Scott Derrickson