"The Day The Earth Stood Still"--remake

1951



2008

The remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still will have general theatrical release on December 12th. It is difficult to evaluate the film based on the trailer but one can infer, based on the small clip and some cinematic historical regularity, that the film in no way captures the spirit of the 1951 film and will no doubt be heavy on computer graphics to carry the bulk of the feel of the film. The 1951 film was characteristic of post war and emerging cold war depression feelings of a nuclear holocaust and a general sense of fear and fascination of alien life forms. The 57 year gap will offer a different perspective repleat with the latest technical gadgetry. I doubt that it will work. Sure, it may draw large, initial box office receipts but the film will have no long-lasting value. Historically, few "remakes" have equaled or excelled the original. Failures include Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The War of the Worlds. The only exception I can recall was the second remake of King Kong [2005].

I wrote on December 18th, 2005 about King Kong [2005]:

I was fortunate to view the new King Kong [loosely based on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's panegyric on the Noble Savage] film yesterday afternoon and, though I am not in the employ of Universal Pictures or receive any remuneration, I strongly recommend this film from many levels. It is a faithful and enhanced remake of the classic film from the 1930's. The computer generated graphics, save for one scene, were not intrusive in the flow of the human drama. The creatures, for the most part, were proportional, moved in a fluid manner, and appeared to be accurately based on current knowledge. Kong was exceptionally represented...even though it took 1/3 of the film to get to him, but well worth the wait. The new and refined relationship between mighty Kong and Ann Darrow was deepened and quite relevant to the story. Many of the original scenes were reproduced and new ones added. High adventure and a love story too--tears were shed, as usual, at the end. The only complaint--158 minutes is a bit long, but upon reflection it is justified. The relevance of this film could be argued for many years.

But, like art,..."beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder".

The Day The Earth Stood Still shooting script [1951]