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The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

PG-13  |   |  Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller  |  12 December 2008 (USA)
5.5
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Ratings: 5.5/10 from 133,157 users   Metascore: 40/100
Reviews: 691 user | 275 critic | 34 from Metacritic.com

A remake of the 1951 classic sci-fi film about an alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who visit Earth.

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Title: The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

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Cast

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Storyline

Dr. Helen Benson is summoned to a military facility with several other scientists when an alien spacecraft of sorts arrives in New York City. Aboard is a human-like alien and a giant robot of immense size and power. The alien identifies himself as Klaatu and says he has come to save the Earth. The US military and political authorities see him as a threat however and decide to use so-called intensive interrogation techniques on him but Dr. Benson decides to facilitate his escape. When she learns exactly what he means when he says he is there to save the Earth, she tries to convince him to change his intentions. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

12.12.08 is the Day the Earth Stood Still

Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sci-fi disaster images and violence | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

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Language:

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Release Date:

12 December 2008 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

D.T.E.S.S.  »

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,752,132 (UK) (12 December 2008)

Gross:

$79,363,785 (USA) (27 March 2009)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| | | (IMAX version)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Jennifer Connelly was Scott Derrickson's first choice for the role of Helen Benson. See more »

Goofs

In the beginning of the movie, when Helen Benson walks into the room of her son, in the background on a shelf you can see an action figure resembling a karate fighter due to its white outfit. However, when Helen leaves the room again, the figure is gone. It is replaced by an entirely different action figure. See more »

Quotes

Klaatu: [repeated line with minor variations] I need to get back to the city.
See more »

Connections

References Get Smart (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

The Goldberg Variations: Aria Da Capo and Variation No. 1
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Ryan Franks
Courtesy of Crucial Music
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
The Kid's Not Alright
24 April 2009 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Can one little kid ruin a movie?

Yup.

Think I'm exaggerating? Watch this film. You can see Exhibit A of it right here in this science-fiction "classic" film, a re-make of the 1950s hit movie of the same title. This re-make actually would have only "bad" without inserting this annoying kid, but he made it "horrendous." Jaden Smith as "Jacob Benson" is a spoiled, chip-on-his-shoulder, disrespectful kid who incessantly talks back to his mother, who puts up with it - which is equally annoying for most audiences.

What was the purpose of inserting this kid in the film? What were the writers thinking? I'm glad to see a number of reviewers here agree with me on this one. I guess if you're the son of a famous actor (Will Smith), they'll insert you in film roles, even if there is no purpose to it. And Hollywood wonders why people don't go to the movies much any more, and they sneer at pitiful re-makes?

Meanwhile, Keanu Reeves was a good choice for his starring role: an emotionless robot-like alien. Reeves is such a wooden-sounding actor to begin with that playing a bland robot is good casting for him. "Klaatu" is tailor-made for him.

Comedy was provided via the ludicrous environmental fear-mongering message in here. I laughed out loud in several spots when "Klaatu" explained to us the reason for his mission. It's so stupid, it's laughable. I was reminded of Ed Wood's horrible sci-fi stories in the 1950s.

I will say some of the special-effects and the surround sound in here is excellent. It was the highlight of the movie. These are good visuals and good audio, and a nice film to view on Blu-Ray. Unfortunately, the story got in the way.


115 of 158 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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EMP...not such a happy ending if you think about it... stulin
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Am I the only one that noticed? MekareM
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That touchscreen they use in the film... psdhart
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