Having sat through the remake of the classic SciFi movie The Day the Earth Stood Still, I am compelled to set up a warning beacon for those who have yet to see this movie.
Here is the warning- While it may be worth seeing on a big screen, it is definitely not worth the full price of admission. If your local cineplex offers discount tickets for afternoon shows, take the opportunity to see it then. Also, be sure to sneak in as many concession snacks as possible. You want to keep your financial investment in this movie to a bare minimum.
First, a few words about Keanu Reeves. Much like John Wayne, Reeves seems to have a single character that he portrays in every film. In this movie, it’s “Reeves plays Klaatu”. I will say that Reeves portrayal of Klaatu is fine- his trademark deadpan delivery works well for the part.
Jennifer Connelly plays Dr. Helen Benson, an astrobiologist who is swept into action by mysterious people with Chinook helicopters. Her part is poorly written and suffers from excessive cliche. Character development is weak as is emotional buy-in.
Stepchild Jacob Benson, played by Jaden Smith, is an impish, totally gratuitous angry stepchild trapped in a love-less domestic truce with stepmom Connelly. Smith’s part was poorly written and directed as well. There is little or no opportunity to emotionally connect with his character.
The blackboard scene with John Cleese was conducted like a checkers match rather than a brainstorming session. It was lifeless and unconvincing. This is one of the few serious roles played by Cleese and I believe it is a step down from Basil Fawlty.
Emotional connection is the lost key to this movie. It is actually part of the plot construction. The movie demands the viewer to accept that Connelly and Smith emotionally connect with Klaatu, but the direction and writing of the movie fails to bridge that gap convincingly or even connect the viewer to the characters.
This movie is written like a class project in preparation for midterm exams in a Cinema 205 course. Cliche parts and story telling devices were taken off the shelf and snapped together. While I will give a passing grade on cinematography and effects, it is a sophomoric exercise in movie writing.
Lamentations on Chemistry 
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December 19, 2008 at 8:29 am
garance
HA! It shows your age: people who have seen the first one do not go see the remake.
December 19, 2008 at 9:13 am
Flint
Now this is a new venue for you I like. Lamentations on movies. I’d like to see more reviews in the future. Yes, you’re right, Reeves, like Bruce Willis, tends to play himself over and over again. In fact if you look closely, most ‘actors’ only tend to play themselves.
I’m groping for a name which personifies a true actor. Maybe you only find that quality in stage actors. Deniro?-Mobsters, Hanks?-nice guy placed in adverse situations, Charlie Sheen?:)
December 19, 2008 at 11:30 am
Uncle Al
The original Klaatu was Jesus Christ (” Carpenter”, get it? His initials are “JC”). Gort was his dad. A proper remake would have the ecology destroyed. Folks would gather Enviro-whiners, social activists, priests, and anybody on the goverment dole then stone them to death. Earth would quickly evolve into an advanced civilization… and make a courtesy call, with knives.
December 19, 2008 at 1:05 pm
gaussling
“… Reeves, like Bruce Willis, tends to play himself over and over again. In fact if you look closely, most ‘actors’ only tend to play themselves.”
I agree. I suppose that is their value proposition with directors.
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Uncle Al-” JC”. I never made the connection. So, who was the Holy Ghost?
December 21, 2008 at 6:16 am
Google
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December 21, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Uncle Al
The Holy Ghost is problematic as movies of the time didn’t include insemination, re Forbidden Planet. Alien suggests the amour of bedbugs. To quote graphic novel “Tales from the Leather Nun, “It’s OK – we’re married.”