Review of The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) by Jacob F — 29 Mar 2014

Special effects dominate this remake that lacks the story and characterizations to justify it's existence. It attempts to update the 1951 sci-fi classic with big CGI and little else, it simply lacks any interesting characters, and feels so dull for so many stretches.

I'd rather enjoy the deep thinking original with it's more retro look and Gort. Giant CG Gort is not nearly as cool, especially since it looks so fake. Reeves is too stiff, lacking the likability of Rennie, Connolly is dull, and Jaden Smith is not that great an actor.

Watch the original, look for better modern sci-fi (hell you can watch Reeves in better more original sci-fi in the "Matrix" films), and skip this tedious bore.