SCOTT Derickson’s The Day the Earth Stood Still isn’t so much a remake as a re-imagining of Robert Wise’s 1951 classic. The original 1951 screenplay, written by Edmund North and Henry Bates, is an indictment on mankind’s warlike nature. By contrast, David Scarpa’s revamp screenplay is an indictment of man’s war on nature.

Once again, we see Keanu Reeves playing the hero of the Earth, this type as Klaatu, a human-alien hybrid ‘clone’ constructed from a sample of human DNA (extracted in the opening scene). Jennifer Connelly ably plays ‘Klaatu’s’ female companion Helen Benson, but unlike Patricia Neal’s character of the same name in 1951, this Benson is a PhD genius rather than a mundane secretary. Benson’s 1951 version son, an inquisitive but loving boy named Bobby (Billy Gray) is replaced by a soured and sullen stepson named Jacob, who provides convenient plotting devices that I won’t get into here (it might spoil it for those who’ve not seen it).

Suffice it to say that the Earth is in danger, not from aliens in cool spheres, but rather from US. Klaatu and his buddies have judged humanity guilty and as such we must be eradicated to save the planet.

Without giving too much away, let me cover a few items worth noting.

1. GORT. In the original, Gort was the name of a robotic sentry who served as a galactic policeman. In the remake, GORT (Genetically Organized Robotic Technology) is a US military acronym given the silicon-based Angel of Death who accompanies Klaatu to Earth. The special effects surrounding GORT and his ‘reaper’ abilities are stunning, but one can’t help thinking of the cloud of locusts described in Revelation 9.

2. The spheres or ‘arks’. These glowing balls resemble worlds or nebulas and have been placed in strategic locations across the globe. Based on Secretary of Defense Jackson’s comments (Jackson is played by Kathy Bates), these balls of light are not ships to transport aliens to the Earth but rather ‘arks’ to save as many species as possible (not including man, of course). When you watch the film, take note of the ‘bees’ and ‘frogs’ that get swept into the arks. Next time you read about ‘disappearing’ species, think ‘alien ark’–right?

3. The ‘evolve’ or ‘die’ meme. Professor Barnhardt (John Cleese subs in 2008 for Sam Jaffe’s wonderful 1951 portrayal) suggests to Klaatu that mankind is on the brink of change–that threat of extinction precedes an evolutionary leap. Many in the New Age circles look to 2012 as the turning point for change–leap or die.

4. Messianic imagery and the Keanu meme. The original 1951 version of The Day the Earth Stood Still had clear Messianic undertones. Michael Rennie’s Klaatu takes on the name ‘John Carpenter’ (Jesus was raised by Joseph, a carpenter). Rennie’s Klaatu also ‘rises from the dead’ after being fatally wounded by military sharpshooters. Keanu Reeve’s 2008 ‘Klaatu’ never assumes a human name, but he does give his life by taking on the punishment for man’s sins (I won’t explain further–just see the film). Reeves is no stranger to such roles. Consider the following Messianic figures he has portrayed:

Siddartha Buddha
Johnny Mnenomic
Constantine
Neo in the 3 Matrix Films
Klaatu

Surely it’s coincidence that Reeves’ first name ends in ‘Anu’ (name of the Sumerian sky-god). It gets stranger though. ‘Ki’ (Earth) is the name of one of Anu’s consorts. One could argue that Keanu’s first name represents a union of ‘father sky’ and ‘mother earth’ for those who claim such beliefs.

Memes and hidden meanings aside, the re-imagined Day the Earth Stood Still lacks the clear direction of the original. Jacob’s character appears forced and shallow, and his stepmother Helen seems intentionally disconnected to all around her. The players move like pieces on a chessboard, but the game is rigged. Plotting is convenient rather than heroic, and we’re left yawning at the end.

I give this remake 4 donuts out of 10, primarily for the effects.

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