The year is 1928. That’s when the new version of the message movie; Day the Earth Stood Still begins. It’s a date that really has no significance, as it is a year before the Great Depression, three years before Japan invades China signaling the beginning of World War II, seventeen years before the “Bomb,” and approximately 80 years before Global Warming.
Fast forward to the present and suddenly an intergalactic envoy, Keanu Reeves arrives, guess where? Let me give you a hint, NYC. If you can’t blow it up there the city of endless destruction, you can’t blow it up anywhere I guess. Suddenly a host of local scientist are abducted, specifically Jennifer Connolly, a microbiologist, to mitigate a natural disaster of biblical proportions just minutes away from wiping out NYC again. And you wonder why the rent is so high? 
Really Dumb
And then the movie gets really dumb, starting with Kathy Bates as the Secretary of Defense who is in charge of dealing with the end of the world, and a galactic diplomat as the President and Vice-President cower in hiding somewhere safe, like maybe D.C. I can’t get a handle on Bates’ character, as it is wrong on many levels. She doesn’t come across, as a Secretary of Defense, her movements, actions, responses, are all wrong, sometimes odd. She fashions her character after Secretary Albright, and it just doesn’t work.
Science and Aliens, Nothing in Common
A potential cost savings to the production was lost when Jennifer Connolly’s stepson, played by Jaden Smith, was written into the script. He adds nothing to the story and could have easily been eliminated before production. Jennifer, try as she might, well actually she doesn’t try, looks for all intents to be that cute, sweet, deer in the lights person. She’s a scientist on paper only, and what does a germ doctor have in common with a “human” space alien? Ah, not much. Keanu tells her straight out that his real looks would frighten her, so no physical chemistry is established. I suspect what would really turn on Keanu would be some good ‘ld sourdough fungi, or portable life support equipment. And whereas he’s versed in a lot of things, he’s not overly concerned with sharing mic
ro-bug secrets.
Keanu Reeves, as Klaatu, which is ”Clucks” in human, has earth informants, a really tough, tall, buff, (human looking?) body guard, dresses nice in a 42 regular suit, and makes a good electrical conduit. Just make sure your iPod earplugs are unplugged when he’s looking for a wall socket. And in spite of all that, he can’t get one reporter to express his desire to meet with the world leaders to hold a crisis meeting on the subject of the impending doom of the earth.
Some Interesting Points
Still, there are a number of interesting points made in the movie. What if, as mentioned, our planet wasn’t ours? What if our sins, in the form of eliminating less developed peoples, comes back and bites us, like in, we may someday be the less developed species? What if we get labeled as a “destructive race” doomed to self-destruct? Or, a race that opens our eyes to our future “only at the brink” only at the “tipping point” of our destiny?
Or, maybe, Klaatu is right; “Nothing ever truly dies, the Universe wastes nothing.” Which brings us back to 1928. If our galactic landlords knew back then what a pickle we’d be in now, wouldn’t it have been nice to wave the red flag then, and if not, send at least someone, (thing) with a presence to at least call a news conference? Does any of this make sense? Didn’t think so, but heck, for ten bucks admission, and another twelve bucks for popcorn and a Coke, you get a chance to solve the formula on the chalkboard that’s “impossible” to decipher, which I think is the odds that this movie gets nominated for best picture. But then again, that’s just me.
Cast and Credits
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connolly, Jaden Smith, John Cleese, Jon Hamm, Kyle Chandler, and Kathy Bates
Director: Scott Derrickson
Producers: Erwin Stoff, Paul Boardman, Gregory Goodman
Science Fiction – Thriller
The Day The Earth Stood Still Trailer