Just returned from the opening screening of The Day The Earth Stood Still with Niki. As its fairly new, I don’t think many of you have watched it, so hopefully this review might come in handy. *If you are against even the smallest of spoilers, I suggest you read no further.*
For those who aren’t aware, this is a remake of a classic 1951 movie of the same name. I’ve never watched the original (as I’m sure most of you haven’t either) so I’ll be making my own conclusions about this version. Purists have been slamming it for apparently butchering the original.
- Basic gist – Keanu Reeves plays an alien emissary, sent to Earth to evaluate humanity, and impose judgment. If we pass, all’s good and well.. if we fail, then well, we fail. I’ve never been a fan of Mr. Reeves, despite him being in lots of my favorite movies. He has the most expressionless face ever, no variation and not much acting skill except for his good looks. And he’s no different in this. Thankfully, his role doesn’t require him to display any emotion whatsoever.. haha
- The gorgeous Jennifer Connelly plays the astrobiologist who befriends and enlightens the alien. She does a decent job despite a flat uninspired script. Her son, played by Jaden Smith, was just plain freaking annoying, although he did have pretty good acting skills for his age – inherited from both his father and mother no doubt.
- I’m a BIG sci-fi fan and an environmentalist at heart as well – so this movie struck a chord in me (it doesn’t take much on both those points). BUT it could have been SO MUCH MORE. There was simply so little emphasis on the crisis we are having. It’s just a waste that a movie with such a noble premise is probably not going to stimulate discussion, raise awareness, or encourage children to look up on the matter. If you ask me, its still great sci-fi, but AFTER its been processed by the Hollywoodmeisters, and turned into a special effects feast instead.
- Product placement was OMG awful ESPECIALLY from Microsoft and McDonalds. Although I didn’t mind seeing more of the cool Microsoft multi-touch ‘Surface’ table again (it also appeared in Quantum of Solace), they didn’t have to show an obvious 2 second section of the Windows logo while the table was ‘starting up’. And McDonalds.. argh, what’s with the whole forced Mandarin speaking scene?? It was supposed to be serious, but the whole cinema was cracking up in laughter over Keanu Reeve’s westernized Chinese speaking attempt.
- To be perfectly honest, I DID enjoy the movie. Quite considerably too – simply because I’ve been starved of intelligent serious sci-fi films for the longest time now. Yeah, I would consider this intelligent, because it doesn’t quite insult my intelligence if at all. It was cool to hear about a galactic confederation, a silicon based life form, see self replicating nanotechnology at work, the new US Military remote controlled drone fighters, and more..
- If you are a geek, or you are anti global warming / pro nature, you will definitely find things to like in this. Just try to look pass the typical attempt to turn it into a high budget blockbuster by trivializing the core plot and pumping up the effects. There is a certain rarity here, a hidden gem and message, that is almost non-existent in other movies today. My verdict? Ultimately forgettable (it shouldn’t have been this way!), but still definitely watchable (sigh).
M* on December 23, 2008
Keanu Reeves has as much facial expression as a wooden doll.
Need serious? Call Keanu.
Need emotionless? Call Keanu.
Need a plank? Call Keanu.
THAT SAID, yes the product placement was cringing. The 2-3 second McD’s reflection on the windscreen? The close up of an omega watch? The Honda Civic, anyone? [i HOPE it's a hybrid, given the movie's themes]
That said, I hope that self-replicating robots become a reality. Then again, it’s the Holy Grail of robotic tech
FoOie on December 30, 2008
M : Be very careful what you wish for. Self replicating nanotech could very easily spell the end of the world.. It’s no different from some virulent death uncurable genetically engineered virus..
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