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Movies / On DVD / The Day the Earth Stood Still
The Day the Earth Stood Still

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The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

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Reviews Counted:175

Fresh:36

Rotten:139

Average Rating:4.2/10

Consensus: Heavy on special effects, but without a coherent story at its base, The Day the Earth Stood Still is subpar re-imagining of the 1951 science-fiction classic.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some sci-fi disaster images and violence.

Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Theatrical Release:Dec 12, 2008 Wide

Box Office: $79,136,963

Synopsis: A remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic of the same name, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL follows astrobiologist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) as she is unceremoniously plucked from her everyday life... A remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic of the same name, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL follows astrobiologist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) as she is unceremoniously plucked from her everyday life with her stepson (Jaden Smith), and whisked away to consult the government on a top-secret matter. That matter happens to be the arrival of a massive glowing sphere in Central Park, accompanied by a towering robot-like protector dubbed Gort and an alien ambassador named Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), who takes up human form to communicate with the people of Earth. When Klaatu finds himself faced with hawkish, uncompromising officials, he goes on the run with Benson and her son as the fate of the world gradually becomes clear. Directed by Scott Derrickson (THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE), this reimagining of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL is fairly reverent to the original film, while adding a number of 21st-century elements, most notably a darker tone embodied by a more threatening Gort and the chilly, contemplative Klaatu, who is portrayed with pitch-perfect remove by Reeves. While the film--and the fate of humanity--rests on Reeves's shoulders, the cast is impressively filled out by Connelly and Smith, along with Kathy Bates, John Cleese, and familiar TV actors Jon Hamm (MAD MEN) and Kyle Chandler (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS). Derrickson also tempers excellent special effects with a bleak color palette and plenty of existential turmoil, making this EARTH a thoughtful and fascinatingly moody blockbuster. [More]

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jaden Smith, John Cleese

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jaden Smith, John Cleese, Jon Hamm, Kyle Chandler, Kathy Bates

Director: Scott Derrickson

Director: Scott Derrickson
Screenwriter: David Scarpa
Producer: Erwin Stoff, Paul Boardman, Gregory Goodman
Composer: Tyler Bates
Studio: 20th Century Fox

[See More Credits]

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    RT Review Revue - The Day the Earth Stood Still, Delgo, Nothing Like the Holidays
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Release:

Apr 7, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Epic action and mind-blowing effects rock the planet in this thrilling reinvention of the sci-fi classic, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. Keanu Reeves portrays Klaatu, an otherworldly being whose arrival on Earth triggers an unstoppable series of events that threaten all of mankind. In a desperate attempt to save humanity, governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind the visitor’s appearance. When a woman (Jennifer Connelly) and her young stepson find themselves embroiled in the alien’s plan, they become the world’s only hope to stave off apocalyptic annihilation.
  • Source: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
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    Reviews for The Day the Earth Stood Still

    • T-Meter Critics
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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Robert Wise's original is well served by 20th Century Fox's popcorny but respectful update, a sturdy, entertaining sci-fi actioner.

    Full Review Source: Times-Picayune | comment Comment
    10/09/09
    Mike Scott
    Mike Scott
    Times-Picayune
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Florida Times-Union | comment Comment
    09/18/09
    Matt Soergel
    Matt Soergel
    Florida Times-Union

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
    09/08/09
    Kit Bowen
    Kit Bowen
    Hollywood.com

    An entirely unnecessary and unremarkable remake.

    Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
    08/30/09
    Sonny Bunch
    Sonny Bunch
    Washington Times

    About 20 minutes in The Day the Earth Stood Still -- well, the movie stood still and never moved.

    Full Review Source: BET.com | comment Comment
    06/10/09
    Clay Cane
    Clay Cane
    BET.com

    It's just like us to be arrogant enough to believe, like Marvell's coy mistress, that our cherry is the ripest for busting of the lot.

    Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
    06/09/09
    Walter Chaw
    Walter Chaw
    Film Freak Central

    The movie has the air of missed opportunity about it - but as reimaginings go, it's no global disaster.

    Full Review Source: SFX Magazine | comment Comment
    05/12/09
    Dave Bradley
    Dave Bradley
    SFX Magazine

    Fails, fails, epic fails all around...

    Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
    04/29/09
    Felix Vasquez Jr.
    Felix Vasquez Jr.
    Cinema Crazed

    More of a mess than the pleasant surprise one might have hoped. [Blu-ray]

    Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
    04/26/09
    Peter Canavese
    Peter Canavese
    Groucho Reviews

    The sort of movie that will do a perfectly acceptable job of filling an evening that otherwise might be empty (or, God forbid %u2013 one that cries out for reading a good book).

    Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
    04/22/09
    Brian Webster
    Brian Webster
    Apollo Guide

    Sincere attempt ... to make a poignant blockbuster that will satisfy an audience used to the very different creative prerogatives that surge through Hollywood today.

    Full Review Source: Paste Magazine | comment 1 Comment
    04/07/09
    Jeffrey Bloomer
    Jeffrey Bloomer
    Paste Magazine

    It's never explained what formulated the inter-galactic environmental police in the first place. But, then, in Sci-fi, there are certain places you just can't go.

    Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
    04/04/09
    Jules Brenner
    Jules Brenner
    Cinema Signals

    Has a simplistic environmental concern, presented with sensationalist sensibilities and, perhaps worse, given an even more simplistic resolution.

    Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
    03/31/09
    Jeffrey Chen
    Jeffrey Chen
    Window to the Movies

    The perfect example of not only how NOT to remake a classic, but the perfect example of why classics shouldn't be remade in the first place. Clunky, cumbersome and completely crappy.

    Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | comment Comment
    03/01/09
    Wesley Lovell
    Wesley Lovell
    Oscar Guy
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | comment Comment
    02/27/09
    Chris Bumbray
    Chris Bumbray
    JoBlo's Movie Emporium

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
    02/05/09
    Robert Roten
    Robert Roten
    Laramie Movie Scope

    A highly entertaining and gripping sci-fi thriller with brains.

    Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | comment 7 Comments
    01/31/09
    Avi Offer
    Avi Offer
    NYC Movie Guru

    Reeves surpreende ao funcionar muito bem como substituto de Rennie, mas o frágil roteiro, os efeitos visuais apenas adequados e todas as cenas envolvendo Jaden Smith comprometem bastante o resultado final.

    comment Comment
    01/20/09
    Pablo Villaca
    Pablo Villaca
    Cinema em Cena

    me psifiaka efe poy moiazoyn retalia tainion poy emoiazan na eihan gyristei me retalia eks arhis, den hreiazetai tin patina toy hronoy gia na ginei shedon toso geloio oso to prototypo stin apeikonisi toy foytoyrismoy toy

    Full Review Source: Movies for the Masses | comment Comment
    01/20/09
    Joseph Proimakis
    Joseph Proimakis
    Movies for the Masses

    Un film vide, inconcluant et profondément inutile dont les bases cèdent rapidement sous le poids de leur propre insignifiance.

    Full Review Source: Panorama | comment Comment
    01/19/09
    Jean-François Vandeuren
    Jean-François Vandeuren
    Panorama
     
     
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    Latest News for The Day the Earth Stood Still

    December 14, 2008: Box Office Wrapup: Klaatu Stands Still at #1
    Fearing extinction, humans across North America lined up to see the new sci-fi thriller The Day the Earth Stood Still which debuted at number one more than doubling the gross of... More...

    December 12, 2008: Exclusive: Milton's Paradise Lost Movie in 3D?
    Could Scott Derrickson's upcoming adaptation of Milton's Paradise Lost be shot in 3D? Perhaps so, the director told Rotten Tomatoes recently. More...

    December 12, 2008: UK Critics Consensus: The Day The Earth Stood Still, Still Stinks
    With Christmas looming large, and no Potter on the schedule, we have two fantasy flicks in the UK cinemas jostling for your hard-earned galleons. We have sci-fi remake The Day... More...

    December 12, 2008: Exclusive: Derrickson Off West Memphis 3 Movie Devil’s Knot
    Emily Rose helmer Scott Derrickson was to direct a planned big-screen adaptation of the West Memphis Three story, but rights issues have forced him to leave the project. More...

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