The 2008 film The Day the Earth Stood Still is a science fiction remake of the 1951 classic with the same title, directed by Scott Derrickson. While it shares the same title and some basic premise with the original, it features updated special effects and a more contemporary setting. The film stars Keanu Reeves as Klaatu and Jennifer Connelly as Dr. Helen Benson.
Plot:
In this modern reimagining of the story, the plot centers on Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), an extraterrestrial being who arrives on Earth in a massive, spherical spaceship. He is accompanied by a giant, indestructible robot called GORT. Unlike the 1951 version, the Earth is facing a global environmental crisis, and human activities are endangering the planet.
Klaatu's mission is to deliver a warning to humanity about the damage they are causing to the Earth and the potential consequences. He believes that Earth must change its destructive ways, or it will be destroyed to protect the rest of the universe from the threat of human expansion into space.
Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) becomes involved in the situation when she is recruited by the U.S. government to assist in communicating with Klaatu and understanding his message. The film explores themes of environmentalism, the consequences of human actions, and the need for humanity to change its behavior to avoid catastrophic consequences.
As tensions rise and the government becomes increasingly wary of Klaatu's intentions, the film builds to a climax as Klaatu's message becomes clear, and humanity must decide whether to heed his warning or face the consequences.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) is a more contemporary take on the original, with an updated storyline that reflects the environmental concerns of the 21st century.
Cast
- Keanu Reeves as Klaatu
- Jennifer Connelly as Dr. Helen Benson
- Kathy Bates as Regina Jackson
- Jaden Smith as Jacob Benson
- John Cleese as Professor Barnhardt
- Jon Hamm as Dr. Michael Granier
- Kyle Chandler as John Driscoll
- Robert Knepper as Colonel
- James Hong as Mr. Wu
- John Rothman as Dr. Myron
- Sunita Prasad as Rouhani
- Mousa Kraish as Yusuf
- Tanya Champoux as Isabel
- Rukiya Bernard as Student
- Juan Riedinger as William Kwan
- Sam Gilroy as Tom
- Robin Smyth as Businessman
Director: Scott Derrickson
Writers: David Scarpa
Box Office Gross: $233,093,859
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: adventure drama Sci-Fi thriller
Release Date: December 10, 2008