The remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) was quite a disappointment to sci-fi fans. Viewers gave it just over 2 stars at Amazon.com. That’s slightly worse than Assignment: Outer Space (1960) and more than a point and a half behind Kronos (1950). If you haven’t heard of either, don’t worry about it. The point is that there are probably better movies at the outdoor even if you’re not planning to watch the movie.
The original 1951 version is regarded as one of the best sci-fi movies ever made – a classic. That explains why the remake did better at the box office in 2008 than Assignment and Kronos combined (besides the fact that neither of the other two movies played in theaters last year). In the original movie, an alien with advanced technology arrived in a flying saucer with an ultimate message of peace. Their interest did not lie in the internal affairs of earth. They were concerned that conflict and destructive technology would eventually spread to effect them, because earthlings had powerful weapons and were on the verge of mastering space flight. A demonstration of the alien’s power came in the form of stopping all electrical and mechanical power on earth for half an hour – without effecting critical operations such as hospital intensive care wards, airplanes in flight, etc.
Reviewers of the remake had a list of complaints. The one that calls for a sequel is the destruction of the story – and not in a good way. Unless you’re a brain-washed greenie, the story line in the remake makes little sense. But I will try to summarize, being as open-minded as possible in an effort to make sense of it. The alien claims his race has prior claim on the earth. It’s some kind of nature reserve – a large park. Things were fine until uppity humans started building things and making sophisticated use of energy. The things humans do for their own survival – like constructing homes and heating them – growing and cooking food and all that – have made the place less than pristine. So, I’m sure you’ll understand (apparently), he decided to kill all humans. In the end, he decided not to – because, we’re sort of an interesting biology experiment or something. Anyway, we apologize, claiming that survival of our species was just a big mistake, and promise not to do it again. So, he just turned off all the power on his way out – sending modern people back into a prehistoric existence. Anyone who can survive like rats and spiders – ok. That’s the deal.
If this isn’t a problem for SG-1, what is? Star Gate or not, humans need to find a way to battle this new foe. The comparison isn’t superficial either. The alien did present a rather god-like aire; easily inheriting the role of the Goa’uld. The first thing we need to do is get the power back on. Since the aliens are not all-seeing gods, it will take many years for them to realize it was done. Then we need technology to begin the fight. Perhaps discovery of some alien communication device, left by another race, will bring an ally into the battle. Such arrogant jerks must have other enemies in the universe.
For me, the need for this sequel has a lot to do with preserving the memory of the original film, stolen for this sham of a remake. Some good must ultimately come of it. And in my opinion, the timing for the type of sequel I’m suggesting couldn’t be better. It would be a reflection on the same battle presently taking place in the real world. Human survival verses a bunch of arrogant jerks who want to force the masses into a stone-age existence with the hope of expanding their options for pleasant vacation spots.
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