December 17, 2008

‘Day the Earth Stood Still’ remake competent

By John Mulderig, Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS)—”The Day the Earth Stood Still” (Fox) is a competent but inferior remake of Robert Wise’s 1951 science-fiction classic, about an alien named Klaatu (Keanu Reeves) who lands on Earth to warn residents of the planet’s doom.

He wins the sympathy of top-flight scientist Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly), who helps him escape from government custody to continue his mission. Her distrustful young stepson, Jacob (Jaden Smith), turns into a troublesome hindrance.

Director Scott Derrickson’s retread, which also features Kathy Bates as the wary U.S. secretary of defense, substitutes global warming for the threat of Cold War annihilation (and, of course, they’re both worthy themes). Both versions share an implicit critique of the human capacity for violence.

As the world’s leaders are shown responding to the extraterrestrial’s headline-grabbing arrival, we’re happy to report that Pope Benedict XVI’s reaction (yes, there’s footage of the pontiff lifted from World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany) comes off as admirably as he, unlike some other prominent figures, sensibly urges “calm and understanding” from the hyperventilating masses who are rioting at the prospect of the end of the world.

Though objectionable elements are minimal (there’s not a single swear word), the alien’s deadpan emotion—or is it just Reeves’ trademark passivity?—is a serious drawback.

Special effects are far more elaborate than in the restrained original, but effective in their own right.

The film contains moderate, mostly bloodless violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II—adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13—parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

John Mulderig is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at usccb.org/movies.