The Day the Earth Stood Still: Sequel to Remake
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.
| More from Roger F. Gay
Stumble It!
June 29th, 2009 at 11:33 am
People just don’t comment like they used to.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:23 am
[...] The Day the Earth Stood Still: … 2009-06-29 [...]
July 1st, 2009 at 4:09 am
“People just don’t comment like they used to.”
I think you could have said that more efficiently.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:30 am
Your papers please.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
this analysis of ‘the day the earth stood still’ remake was terrible, it had a relevant message, humans are a cancer to the world, we need to be destroyed in order for the earth to live…i actually think the remake had a more effective message then the original, i’m not one for remakes, and am especially not one for saying the remakes are better then the original, but in this case it is. The message was more relavent to these modern times, and the fact that you try to find a way to defeat them just proves their point, the movie is saying we are a violent race, and it is true…and what the hell was with the “we should try to find an ally and kill those jerks…”? wow…we either evolve or we die.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:49 am
There are no good endings to science fiction. This is because science fiction relies on simple morality plays for its plot lines.
All the great endings are endings to the morality play itself rather than the fictional technology, with the exception of “say-what” endings like 2001.
Nonetheless I bought this remake and have watched it several times. I like the speed at which it flows. It is, to this film buff, a race or roller coaster ride. My only irritation was Jennifer Connelly’s over use of the dramatic tool of sucking in ones breath to show shock – opposite of “tsk”.
I do not believe in the theory of evolution by natural selection as the sole progenitor of life on earth, so the whole “greenie thing” is just another form of science fiction to me anyway.
technical point, the planet earth belonged to no one in particular, the actions of the intra-galactic neighbourd ladies committee was simply to preserver the biosphere for some better-than-these-lousy-humans intelligent life form to get a fighting chance.
btw
If you guys or gals get a chance, you should watch this little monster …
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048977
… it really will give you the creeps.