The Day the Earth Stood Still

Competent but inferior science-fiction remake about an alien (Keanu Reeves) who lands on Earth to warn of the planet's doom, and gains the assistance of a top-flight scientist (Jennifer Connelly), escaping from government custody to continue his mission, despite the initial hostility of the scientist's distrustful young stepson (Jaden Smith). Director Scott Derrickson's version of Robert Wise's 1951 genre classic, which also features Kathy Bates as the wary U.S. secretary of defense, substitutes global warming for the threat of Cold War annihilation (both worthy themes), but though objectionable elements are minimal, the alien's deadpan emotion is a serious drawback. Moderate, mostly bloodless violence. A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG-13) 2008

The Day the Earth Stood Still (Full Review)

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" (Fox) is a competent but inferior remake of Robert Wise's 1951 science-fiction classic, about an alien named Klaatu (Keanu Reeves) who lands on Earth to warn residents of the planet's doom.

He wins the sympathy of top-flight scientist Dr. Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly), who helps him escape from government custody to continue his mission. Her distrustful young stepson, Jacob (Jaden Smith), turns into a troublesome hindrance.

Director Scott Derrickson's retread, which also features Kathy Bates as the wary U.S. secretary of defense, substitutes global warming for the threat of Cold War annihilation (and, of course, they're both worthy themes). Both versions share an implicit critique of the human capacity for violence.

As the world's leaders are shown responding to the extraterrestrial's headline-grabbing arrival, we're happy to report that Pope Benedict XVI's reaction (yes, there's footage of the pontiff lifted from World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany) comes off as admirably as he, unlike some other prominent figures, sensibly urges "calm and understanding" from the hyperventilating masses who are rioting at the prospect of the end of the world.

Though objectionable elements are minimal (there's not a single swear word), the alien's deadpan emotion -- or is it just Reeves' trademark passivity? -- is a serious drawback.

Special effects are far more elaborate than in the restrained original, but effective in their own right.

These movies have been evaluated for artistic merit and moral suitability by the media reviewing division of Catholic News Service. The reviews include the CNS rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.

The classifications are as follows:

A-I -- general patronage;
A-II -- adults and adolescents;
A-III -- adults;
L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
O -- morally offensive.

Note: Some movies previously were designated A-IV. Older films with this classification should be regarded as classified L.