The Day the Earth Stood Still

Solid

1951’s The Day the Earth stood still, has always been one of my absolute favorite sci-fi classics; basically because of it’s refreshing alternative to the common “alien invasion” film where intergalactic or interstellar invaders attack us outright or land in some isolated town somewhere hundreds of miles from the nearest major city. It’s the story of an intelligent being named Klaatu who, in lieu of the above, lands his ship directly on Washington D.C. soil. Why? Not to invade, but because he has a message ( or more accurately a warning )for the entire world.

The late great director Robert Wise helmed the original. He was attracted to the material because he personally believed in UFOs, as well as his personal anti-military stance. It’s obvious Wise and Christian screenwriter Edmund H. North had perfect chemistry. Day, along with Howard Hawks’ The Thing From Another World, is one of the best written sci-fi scripts of the era.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose’s Scott Derrickson directing from David Scarpa's adaptation, attempts to duplicate the mystery/suspense of the original. It’s a gallant effort that has it’s ups and downs appropriately modernized and updated for the 21st century. Only instead of our nation’s capitol, Derrickson opts for a much bigger location to set our lone visitor down. Central Park in New York City. Seems the Big Apple has become the traditional “ground zero” when it comes to sci-fi disaster flicks ( i.e. Independence Day, Godzilla).

Fans of classic science fiction may or may not be disappointed ( I wasn’t) with how the story plays out from the beginning, paying as much homage to Wise’s concept as possible. But as it arches forward, it probably takes some getting used to. When an unusual space anomaly is discovered hurtling toward our planet at incredible speed, the most brilliant scientists, including astrobiologist Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) are rounded up by our government. They have a little over an hour before it hits, so there’s virtually no time to evacuate the city. In true do or die tradition, the thing actually slows down just before landing. Turns out to be a giant rotating sphere from which emerges an unrecognizable form of alien.

Blu ray

Naturally fearful of what we don’t understand, one of our military guys shoots him when he reaches out for Benson’s hand. Consequently, a more recognizable figure emerges from the sphere. A titan of metal who our wounded visitor does not refer to as Gort. He immediately opens his visor firing a deadly light beam in defense of his master until
he is stopped by those familiar words uttered by Patricia Neal 57 years ago. He is then taken to a secure area for immediate medical attention where, after morphing into a human like Keanu Reeves we finally learn his name is, of course Klaatu.

His arrival is met with a slight bit of paranoia by semi-tough defense secretary Regina Jackson, played adequately by Kathy Bates. Klaatu’s first conversation with her is definitely unnerving. It gets worse when it’s discovered that more of those huge glowing spheres are popping up all over the planet. What’s going on? Michael Rennie’s Klaatu of 51 was considerably more Christ like, leaving in his flying saucer and awaiting our answer to either live in peace or be annihilated because we have become a danger to other planets; just as Jesus gives us the choice of either accepting or rejecting Him. It gets really intense in 2008 where Reeve’s Klaatu, after being refused access to the U.N., sets the operation in motion almost immediately.

Remakes will always inevitably suffer in comparison to their original counterparts. Especially a cult classic like this one. While the special f/x are superb, the story itself really does not have the magic of the 51 version. Reeves portrays our “friend to the earth” more enigmatically than Rennie’s rendition and is considerably less understanding and merciful to our lack of ecological in lieu of nuclear, stewardship. Jennifer Connelly seems just as, if not more, frightened than Patricia Neal when she learns of Klaatu’s true mission.

Will Smith’s son Jaden steals a few scenes from both Connelly and Reeves as the bereaving Jacob Benson who lost his father in the war. His iciness toward Connelly’s Helen (his stepmother) is quite convincing.

Like Pharaoh of Egypt who refused to let the Children of Israel go, until death and destruction plagued them, we of the 21st century have a similar attitude towards being told what to do. No matter the differences, both versions of The=2 0Day the Earth stood Still make us reflect heavily on ourselves as well as the survival of our planet.