I'll begin by saying that I haven't watched the original movie from 1951. Therefore no comparisons will be made one way or the other.This is a movie that I wanted to like more than I actually did. I feel that the story has potential. The idea of an alien coming to earth, as far as I can figure, being the first alien encounter for mankind is intriguing. The acting and the special effects are good, and I like Keanu Reeves from before so it was fun to see another movie with him.But there were some things that just didn't agree with me very well. I think the major problem, for me, was that there were too many questions left unanswered. Or perhaps it was just me missing the point? But either way I had a hard time fully understanding the alien protagonist and his intentions. Not to mention the motives behind those intentions. That he somehow had the authority to do as he saw fit didn't make much sense to me. Who was he and his race to decide over a planet that isn't theirs? I would have wanted a deeper meaning here. I would have wanted more of a backstory to the alien and what he was up to. And as to the people's reaction, or most of the people anyway... well, that made me almost ashamed to be human. The only character that I can say I liked was Helen Benson played by Jennifer Conelly.

Movie Review: "The Day The Earth Stood Still" (2008)One of the event movies of Holiday season 2008/2009 turns out to be uncorking, suspenseless moral science-fiction-tale on environmental maintenance and social stability. Based on on 1950s classic directed by Robert Wise (1914-2005), remake director Scott Derrickson gets corrupted by Hollywood politics, enslaved by an mediocre script by David Scarpa, which lured an ensemble cast led by actress Jennifer Connelly and Keanu Reeves as the infamous character in an human body from outer space Klaatu, further over-ambitious supporting characters including Kathy Bates and Jon Hamm, who at no time had a chance to deliver any decisive beats to a rooster of endless shot raw footage, enriched with some high-end visual effects, only to end up with motion picture of 100 minutes, which wanted to be an epic science-fiction adventure, where characters are not just thread to lose their lives by an extraterrestrial invasion but their innocence in human conflicts in the process of survival.© 2017 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainemtns LLC)

I love scifi & despite what some overinflated critic hack might claim; there is no lack of demand for this genre. There is a lack of original stories and competent directors.I was astonished to read 650 of 700 reviews posted here all agreed about the bratty kid character who ruined every scene of the movie for all of us. (Will Smith, this is what happens when a child has no punishment for bad behavior. They don't learn without sufficient consequences.)I blame the screenwriter & director for the terrible characters they developed with even worse dialogue. The worst character was the bratty kid. He was simply awful. This was not an ethnic issue. This was an attitude issue. A smart mouthed brat constantly back talking & causing nothing but trouble & fails to behave. He does exactly the opposite of what he has been told. Nor does his caretaker pay attention to his behavior as she foolishly brings him along with her instead of leaving him with a neighbor or relative as she did at the beginning. What's worse, the kids role & dialogue controlled the entire movie. The audience felt he needed a good paddling.The kid literally ruined the movie for everyone. He was nothing like the wide-eyed boy with curiosity & amazement as in the original movie.Dr Helen was no better. Neither her demeanor nor her dialogue were believable in her role. She acted more like some inexperienced teen than a respectable doctor. Arguing with the gov't before learning their purpose for her expertise. Her inability to control or monitor the brat was evident of this characters lack of experience & maturity.Then we have a Sec of defense who goes out of her way to provoke the alien into a conflict. No diplomatic skills there. She also does everything possible to make the alien hate us. She was clearly overbearing.Keanu Reeves made a great alien but his character in the script never bothered to discuss his purpose before the destruction was unleashed. Nor did they provide a second chance warning. Or consideration for those who were innocent. The first movie at least received a warning to all nations. I didn't know why some reviewers kept referring to "canoe". I now realize it was a nickname used for Keanu by those who can't properly pronounce KEY AW NEW.Then we had an incomplete ending & unsure of the actual ramifications. Permanently without power or temp? What about medical technology? This portion of the film was incomplete. Also, with the alien leaving without explanation or threats, the gov'ts would continue their bad management. Nothing would be accomplished without a terrifying warning of what they needed to do to avoid utter destruction.I have to agree with those who complain about the constant use of NYC or Washington DC as focal point locations for these films. There are plenty of other cities. But I do realize that those 2 cities are also focal points for the UN and the US gov't. However, I always wondered why Paris was the locale for so many peace treaties (Rev war, War of 1812, Viet Nam war, etc).Those rednecks (who are always blaming leftists in their comments) are the ones responsible for global environmental destruction, wars, violence, pollution & corrupt gov't. Shouldn't you be out killing some endangered animal instead of watching scifi you clearly don't understand? Or are they those who are Incarcerated without the ability to change the channel.The special effects were interesting but nothing could overcome such horrible dialogue & weak characters. We needed the wisdom & calm demeanor of Morgan Freeman in this film.The movie is watchable but the kid will still ruin it for everyone.

All this movie does is push an anti-human extremist view of environmentalism. This is sickening. The aliens who push humans back into the dark ages are portrayed as intellectually and morally superior to humans as opposed to the fascist villains they are. That is the biggest factor that makes this movie awful.I guess the acting and cinematography are good. Of course, having Keanu Reeves does degrade the acting quality, but maybe the rest of the actors are okay. I don't remember anything about the score. So, I can't comment on that.Seriously, don't destroy brain cells watching this.