Today’s quick review: The Day the Earth Stood Still. When an energy sphere lands in Manhattan and disgorges Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), an alien in the form of a human, the United States government calls in astrobiologist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) to help investigate. But when Secretary of Defense Regina Jackson (Kathy Bates) orders a hostile interrogation of the visitor, Helen follows her instincts and helps Klaatu escape custody.
The Day the Earth Stood Still is a science fiction movie about an alien who has come to render judgment on humanity. Keanu Reeves stars as Klaatu, a cold but rational visitor who befriends Helen and her stepson Jacob (Jaden Smith). Jennifer Connelly plays opposite him as Helen, one of the few humans to meet Klaatu with kindness. They are joined by a quietly impressive cast that includes John Cleese, Jon Hamm, and James Hong.
The Day the Earth Stood Still takes a different tack from the 1951 original. Modern special effects beef up the action and make Klaatu’s arrival more eerie. In addition, Helen plays a more active role in the story, Klaatu is less partial to humanity, and the specifics of Klaatu’s mission have changed. All of this leads to a darker and more dramatic film, one where humanity’s many mistakes are about to catch up with it.
Unfortunately, The Day the Earth Stood Still does not balance its drama correctly. Klaatu is indifferent to the fate of mankind, and Jacob is still bitter over the death of his father, leaving Helen as the sole ray of light. In spite of a decent performance from Jennifer Connelly, the character is not up to the task. Ultimately, The Day the Earth Stood Still is missing the humanity and warmth needed to make its story resonate.
The Day the Earth Stood Still will be an interesting pick for some science fiction fans, but its pessimistic tone and superficial treatment of a deep philosophical question make it a mixed bag at best. Give it a shot if you are curious to see a modern take on classic sci-fi speculation. Skip it if you are looking for either all-out action or an insightful examination of humanity.
For a cleaner and more enduring take on the same premise, try the original version of The Day the Earth Stood Still. For a more thoughtful tale of first contact with some of the same elements, try Arrival. For another dire prediction for humanity’s future, try Knowing. For a more introspective visit from an alien, try K-PAX. For an animated sci-fi adventure about a dangerous visitor from the stars, try The Iron Giant.
[5.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970416/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a promising setup that falls flat.