The Day the Earth Stood Still

The Day the Earth Stood Still is one of those movies that coulda been but turned out not to be. I guess I thought that this re-make with Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly would be the intelligent science fiction that the 1951 original had been. I just figure that if you are going to use the exact same title, character names and even robot of the original that there might be some inkling of the original left.
Maybe I am not being fair.
The story of both films is about an alien named Klaatu that comes to Earth, with a wicked cool robot, to find out if our violent species is worth saving. Klaatu is shot upon exiting the space craft, the robot defends him, Klaatu stops the robot from destroying all the soldiers, Klaatu escapes the hospital and meets a human woman and her son and learns about humanity. Well, this is where the similarity ends.
In this new version, Klaatu is interested in saving the Earth not humans per se. The Earth is a valuable commodity because it can sustain life and if we aren't going to take care of it - then we don't deserve it. Reeves is very good in this deadpan roll with very few words (personally, I think these are the best roles for him) and gets his message across with some good special effects. Connelly plays a scientist that is brought in, with a dozen other scientists, to figure out what is heading toward Earth, where it came from and then what does the alien want. I really would have liked to seen more science in the science fiction. She isn't sure about Klaatu but helps him escape and then drives him around as he decides the fate of Earth. He decides humans should be destroyed and through some contrived scene staging decides they are.
This movie offers nothing new with special effects, story or acting.
There was a great scene with Reeves and John Cleese that should have been expanded and maybe is on the cutting room floor. Once again cut the intelligent and keep the corny.
Oh, did I mention it was corny? Flat, typical characters that single mindedly see Klaatu as a threat which leads to "FIRE all missiles!"
It is hard to compare it to the original that was sending a message of impending self destruction of the human race. 1951 was a time of atom bombs, bomb shelters and fear of commies. The message was as clear then as it is now - humanity needs to unite before we destroy each other. Klaatu's message was also clear that he could do the job for us.
There are different types of science fiction in my book. There is what I call the "cerebral" type of Gattaca and Sunshine. The "popcorn" type of Independence Day and Armageddon. Then there is the "blended" type of iRobot, Artificial Intelligence and The Island. The blended science fiction can be the most satisfying for your thinking and action parts of the brain. There is a good story, message and some good action (maybe more than some action).
There are plans to remake the blended classics of Fahrenheit 451 and Logan's Run (I thought The Island had that covered). I really hope they get it right or change the titles.
The Day the Earth Stood Still could have been a great blend. The message was there and could have been presented in many different ways. The acting could have been there - I blame the casting and directing. The special effects were nothing new. Groundbreaking is what this movie needed.
Those that know the movie mommy, know that I am not out to see award winning cinema every time I watch a movie but I expect some satisfaction.
I am afraid I cannot recommend this movie to plunk down up to $10 on. Maybe a matinee or the $1 theater would do.
MM (out of 5 M's)