Simply Perfect

best movie i've ever seen.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

A lot of people don't like this film. Even I thought that casting Keanu Reeves as someone from outer space was a little redundant. But, it was on and I was bored so I started watching. And, kept watching; and, at bed time I recorded the rest.It is not the same movie as the original. That is a good thing. The original movie was great for its time; however, the old plot set in modern times would look uber-dumb. Also, I have to doubt that the authorities would've reacted so cartoonishly militaristic as they are depicted, in this day and age; but, maybe I'm an optimist.So, instead of turning off the world's power, the aliens bring metal-eating robots that threaten to devour us all. We are on the brink of destruction, as they mention once or twice. The deaths from these creatures gives the film a very different feel than the original.Bates and Cleese do well in their performances. As always, Reeves plays stunned well. If you don't expect the original and you don't question things very hard, this is not a bad movie.

Just as the reboot of "Cape Fear" reconfigured the entire film adaptation of John D. Macdonald's seminal novel, so does this one, starring Jennifer Connelly and Keanu Reeves creatively flesh-out the set pieces depicted in the classic 1951 rendition with Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal.It isn't merely a matter of enhanced computer generated special effects: Keanu Reeves delicately walks a thespian tightrope between terrifying godlike powers and an overriding mission dedicated to persuading an earth on a collision course with its own self perpetuating doom---to help itself before it is too late.As a matter of taste, any work of art may be alternately extolled or parodied; "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is no exception. However, as a devotee of world peace and a believer in the ability of united enlightened irenic and compassionate human beings, I was heartened by this cinematic presentation. I think that Michael Rennie and those who produced the 1951 version might also be cheered---especially in light of the Hitleresque antics of Vladimir Putin, Assad and Kim Il and others in our times. No well intentioned effort to eradicate rampant, destructive, vengeful, revanchist maniacal demagogues- is a waste of time. I believe that this 2008 envisioning of the earlier movie reaches a much wider audience, which may keep the salient themes simmering.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008): Dir: Scott Derrickson / Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jaden Smith, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm: Worthwhile remake about examining oneself. A huge spacecraft lands in central park and one of the beings is abstracted and taken into custody. He looks human and informs us that mankind is ruining earth. It is surprising that it took him this long to figure that out. Screenplay lays heavier emotion than the original thanks to two supporting players. Director Scott Derrickson is backed with explosive special effects. Keanu Reeves delivers a lifeless performance as the being that bares all the personality of a store window dummy. Jennifer Connelly brings in the best performance as she is sought after to figure this event out. Jaden Smith plays her step-son who completes the emotional core of the film as he mourns his father's death and approaches Reeves to resurrect him but Reeves has other plans such as ruining the film's emotional credibility. Kathy Bates is laughable as a representative for the President who tries to form communication and is often shut off. Jon Hamm is given the standard role of NASA official who recruits Connelly. It should surprise no one that this film is inferior to original but it is worth standing still for the production values, which save the film from hurling into orbit of embarrassment. Score: 6 / 10

The plot is naive to say the least. And very common. Once more aliens want to destroy humanity for their evil (or not so evil) purposes.It is a remake of an older movie.Keanu Reeves reprises his persona and set of movements from Neo in the Matrix, the son of Smith is as annoying as a little brat could be and Jennifer Connelly although she looks "intelligent" her character is surprisingly dumb in the movie.You want to see it? Go and see it. Don't expect an epiphany or a solid conclusion though. Humans are destroying Earth but they have ...soul and they are willing (really?) to change for the better.