The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2008
	Director: Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose)
	Actors: Keanu Reeves (Speed, 47 Ronin), Jennifer Connelly (Requiem for a Dream, Noah), Kathy Bates, Jaden Smith (After Earth)
	Country: USA
	Genre: SF, Action
	Conditions of visioning: 07.04.2015, Blu-ray, Home cinema
Synopsis: An alien sphere lands in New York. A team of specialists is gathered to study the object. A being and a giant robot come out of the sphere.
Review: I have never seen the original 1951 movie from which this one is a remake but I know it has gained cult status. I should probably see it, I know it exists in Blu-ray. A modern remake will allow today's audience to experience this nice SF story as well. Remember that the original is in Black&White and the supposedly terrifying robot is actually a guy in a robot suit. I can understand that one could prefer watching Keanu Reeves as Klaatu and a giant robot in CGI.  This remake is not badly done and Reeves fits the role, but something is missing to make it as captivating as the original did in its time. The story between the character played by Jennifer Connelly and her step-son (played by the son of Will Smith) seems a bit out of place and here only for the audience to have an emotional link to the action. Some elements of the story and visuals are borrowed from the forgotten Sphere (1998) with Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone and Samuel L. Jackson which I find was better focusing on the characters in the middle of a similar SF / military / political story.
Rating: 5 /10