Review of The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) by Jonathan W — 12 Sep 2011

The original 1951 black and white version was full of mystery and wonder - with the superb Michael Rennie as Klaatu and the terrifying Robot called 'Gort'. I remember watching it as a child with mouth agape as Rennie has to make judgement on the entire human race - and how he is about to consign us all to oblivion when he experiences ordinary human kindness and realises that there is merit in this strange species called humanity.

The remake - what can one say. Keanu Reeves is not just 'wooden' he is positively lignified. The plot is barely credible in any aspect. The contorted plot line of Dr Helen whatsername's relationship with her black adopted/ stepson seems engineered solely to boost audience ratings from the politically correct. The spaceship has none of the mystery of the first version with its seamless metal doors - and the first Gort was utterly terrifying ('You have no idea what destructive powers he can unleash').

Reeves really does need to go to acting school and start froms cratch. He cannot act. Period. The Director needs to go back to Film School and the writer should spend a few days reading Asimov, Clarke and Heinlein to refresh his knowledge of story telling.