The Day the Earth Stood Still

PG-13

Released Dec 12, 2008

1 hr. 44 min.

Sci-Fi

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List

21%

195 Reviews

Tomatometer

27%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), an extraterrestrial visitor to planet Earth, becomes the herald of upheaval on a global scale. As the world's governments and scientists race to understand what is happening and how to stop it, Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) and her stepson come to understand the chilling ramifications behind Klaatu's statement that he is a "friend to the Earth."

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Critics 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.

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alan g

Pale immitation of the original. Watch the Michael Rennie version.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

Calvin T

No idea why there's low ratings......all around great movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

C'est W

Better than the dork critics gave it credit for, but a disappointing ending.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

High On S

If it wasn't for Jaden Smith being in this film, it might have been a decent movie. His cringy performance makes it almost unwatchable.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

Full Review

Dan R

The 00's saw a number of remakes of classic films, with 2008 giving us 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'. SYNOPSIS: 'A remake of the 1951 classic science fiction film about an alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who visit Earth.' This is a film which is heavy on CGI effects but really lacking in anything else beyond the first 30 minutes. It totally falls off the edge beyond that point. You're never really going to improve on a classic however much technology has moved on in 50 years. The movie has the air of missed opportunity, especially when you consider the quality of the cast involved. As reimaginings go it's not terrible but it wouldn't surprise me in the near future if there's another remake. I really wanted more! 5/10

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

B D

The 1951 movie was one of my all time favorites; it became a SyFy icon still today. So, I was excited to see a remake with updated effects. Sadly, the 2008 movie was terrible. Of course they had to make it about climate change; such BS. The effects were good, and GORT was awesome; however, the storyline was in the toilet. They put Jaden Smith in to play a little obnoxious brat step-son of a widowed mom Mrs. Benson. Here's a tip; don't cast anyone from Will Smith's screwed-up family. The scene with professor Barnhart came off like a synchronized whiteboard ballet; soooo stupid. Finally, they turned GORT into a mass of tiny robotic bugs that took to individual flight, and proceeded to destroy the earth; what idiot came up with that dumb idea??? Keanu and Kathy Bates characters were generally lifeless. Hollywood; please stop ruining great classic movies with failing remakes. The director Scott Derrickson said he didn't get work for years after this flop in his career; I think he got off light.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/24

Full Review

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Scott Derrickson

Director

Keanu Reeves

Klaatu

Jennifer Connelly

Dr. Helen Benson

Kathy Bates

Regina Jackson

Jaden Smith

Jacob Benson

John Cleese

Professor Barnhardt

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UK Critics Consensus: The Day The Earth Stood Still, Still Stinks

The Day the Earth Stood Still: Trailer 1

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Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Christine Champ

Film.com

Rated: C-

May 6, 2011

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Rated: 1/4

Feb 3, 2011

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The computer animation and picture quality is significantly cleaner and more impressive than the low-budget, man-in-a-foam-suit costuming of the 1951 classic.

Rated: 3/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

If you look past the fairly cool special effects you're going to see a film at war with itself.

Rated: 1.5/4.0

Sep 5, 2020

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

Doesn't have a single practical reason for its existence.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 6, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), an extraterrestrial visitor to planet Earth, becomes the herald of upheaval on a global scale. As the world's governments and scientists race to understand what is happening and how to stop it, Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) and her stepson come to understand the chilling ramifications behind Klaatu's statement that he is a "friend to the Earth."

Director: Scott Derrickson
Screenwriter: David Scarpa
Production Co: 3 Arts Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Some Sci-Fi Disaster Images)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $79.4M

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