The Day The Earth Stood Still

Dec 16 2008 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

KEANU REEVES finds the role sci-fi fans may believe he was born to play in Scott Derrickson’s The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Reeves (44) plays the enigmatic extraterrestrial Klaatu, who causes a global panic after arriving on Planet Earth spreading a message of impending doom.

A remake of the 1951 Robert Wise classic, Klaatu alleges that, if humans do not change their greedy ways, then a squad of angry aliens will arrive and wipe mankind out once and for all.

As the invasion begins, a series of Power Ranger-type individuals take on the might of the American military in several action scenes that feel like they have been witnessed many times before.

And it is left to the charming Dr Helen Benson (played by Jennifer Connelly) – along with her stepson Jacob (Jaden Smith) – to try and convince Klaatu that there is enough good left in the world for it not to be emptied of all its inhabitants.

Star of the Matrix films, Keanu Reeves gives the sort of dry, lifeless, performance that will leave many wondering if he – like his character here – is from another part of the universe.

Brimming full of environmental messages from start to finish, the film is saved from being a complete disaster by the performances of Connelly and Smith.

Smith (10), son of Hollywood heavyweight Will, in particular is worthy of praise.

The youngster displays remarkable screen presence for someone not even old enough to start secondary school yet.

It is a shame, therefore, that his obvious potential is not mirrored by some of his more experienced colleagues.

Johnathon Menzies