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Klaatu Keanu Nikto
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Keanu Reeves saves the world in the 2008 remake of a classic sci-fi tale. First, I want to make sure it’s understood that “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008) is not technically a remake of the 1951 film starring Michael Rennie. 
The screenplay is adapted from the Harry Bates short story, “Farewell to the Master”. It was first published in the October 1940 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. It’s main character is Cliff
Sutherland, a free-lance reporter. In the short story, He witnesses Klaatu’s ship land in front of the U.S. Capitol and it is described as being “curving ovoid” in shape. Klaatu then exits the ship along with his massive metal robotic companion “Gnut”. 
In English Klaatu speaks: "I am Klaatu and this is Gnut." Before he gets a chance to say another word he is shot and “killed”. Klaatu is then buried in a nearby mausoleum along with a recording of his only spoken words. The robot remains still and research buildings are built around it. They try to break into the ship and Gnut but all attempts are in vain. Cliff then discovers that the robot enters and exits the ship every night. The robot realizes Cliff’s observations, but ignores him. They encase the robot in “glasstex” but he breaks free and carries Cliff off to the mausoleum. Gnut obtains the recording of Klaatu’s voice and returns to the ship. Cliff sneaks aboard the ship and finds out that the robot has made a copy of Klaatu solely based off of the audio recording. Unfortunately the audio recording is damaged and the Klaatu copy dies after shortly speaking with Cliff. He gives the robot the original recording device and Gnut is able to make a new Klaatu. Cliff urges the robot to inform its masters that Klaatu’s death was an accident. But upon the departure of the ship, the robot tells Cliff one last thing: “You misunderstand, I am the master”.
The 1951 film “The day the Earth Stood Still” is a re-imagining of this story, just as the 2008 version is. In it, Klaatu’s ship lands in Washington D.C. as originally described. He exits the ship along with “Gort”, his robot bodyguard. In the film, a jumpy soldier misfires and shoots Klaatu as he reaches in his space suit for what appears to be a traditional ray-gun. Oops..jpg)
Ray gun, or mankind’s most useful tool? “The Day the Earth Stood Still”(1951)
It turns out it was a gift for the president that would have let humans study life on other planets. Gort quickly vaporizes all the nearby human weapons and Klaatu is taken to a military hospital. Once treated, he informs the president’s secretary, Mr. Harley, that he must speak at a meeting of all the Earth’s leaders. .jpg)
Michael Rennie as Klaatu in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”(1951)
He also mentions that Gort, his giant robot bodyguard, only reacts to eliminate violence. Klaatu is told that it is not possible to hold the meeting, for the world leaders can’t even decide where the meeting should take place. Klaatu then escapes military custody and seeks refuge in a boarding house under the guise of “Mr. Carpenter”. There he meets Helen Benson and her son Bobby. Helen is a widow whose husband was killed in World War II. The next day, Helen’s boyfriend offers to take her on a day trip and Klaatu suggests he babysit Bobby. Bobby takes Klaatu on a tour of the city. He takes him to his father’s grave and Klaatu sees many of the lives lost in past wars. They then visit the Lincoln Memorial and Klaatu is impressed by the Gettysburg Address inscribed on the statue. Bobby then takes Klaatu to the home of who he says is the wisest person Klaatu could meet. It's the home of professor Jacob Barnhardt, who is not present. Klaatu solves a complex n-body problem written on a blackboard and then gives his address to the housekeeper before leaving. The following day, Klaatu is escorted back into military custody to speak with professor Barnhardt. Barnhardt is convinced of Klaatu’s origin due to the solved math problem. Klaatu informs the professor that because of Earth’s recent development of Atomic weapons, other space traveling species are concerned. 
“The decision rests with you.” “The day the Earth Stood Still”(1951)
Klaatu warns that if humans do not heed his warning, Earth will be eliminated. The professor then implores that Klaatu come up with some sort of demonstration of his power, to convince mankind. Klaatu finds Helen at her workplace and stops her in an elevator. He confesses his true identity and asks for help. It is then shown that Klaatu stops all electrical power worldwide, except for hospitals and airplanes, for a half hour. After the blackout, an all out manhunt for Klaatu takes place. He then tells Helen of the famous words to be spoken to Gort is anything happens to him. “Klaatu Barada Nikto”. Klaatu is shot and killed by the military and Helen goes to Gort to do what she has been instructed. Gort takes her and Klaatu’s body inside the ship and Klaatu is revived. Klaatu then exits the ship saying that if the people of Earth do not stop their violent ways, Earth will be eliminated. Speaking his last words, “The decision rests with you.”, Klaatu enters his ship and departs. 
Keanu Reeves is Klaatu.“The Day the Earth Stood Still”(2008)
Now we get to the 2008 remake. I’ll restrict myself from including too many spoilers, but if you’ve read the above passage then you pretty much now know how the story goes.
Jennifer Connelly as Dr. Helen Benson in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”(2008)
The immediate difference is the setting. The mysterious object, aka the flying saucer, lands in New York City’s Central Park. In the 2008 version, Klaatu’s craft is more organic, and seems to be highly energized. It’s also spherical in shape, opposed to the traditional flying saucer image. Helen Benson is a Dr. of astrobiology. She and a group of other scientists are rounded up by the military and Nasa to examine the object. Klaatu exits the craft to greet Helen and is shot by a soldier.
Kathy Bates as Regina Jackson in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”(2008)
Gort reacts to the violence by disabling the military technology in the area. Klaatu comes to in a Military hospital and the secretary of defense Regina Jackson holds him for questioning. Klaatu explains that planet Earth does not belong to humans and that they have ruined the Earth. He expresses his need to speak with a gathering of world leaders, but is detained by the military.
“You don’t know what he’s capable of.” “The Day the Earth Stood Still”(2008)
Helen then helps Klaatu escape. Helen and her stepson Jacob take him across northern New Jersey. There’s an obvious statewide manhunt out for him and Helen takes Klaatu to the home of her nobel-prize winning colleague, professor Barnhardt. 
John Cleese discussing the fate of mankind as Professor Barnhardt in “The Day the Earth Stood Still”(2008)
While this is happening, other spheres across the world start obtaining specimens of animals, sans humans. Regina Jackson equates this to being similar to “Noah’s Ark” and they assemble a military force to try to stop the sphere and Gort. Gort is detained in a silo in Virginia. It is discovered that Gort is actually made of tiny matter-consuming microbes that start to wipe out the human race, starting with the silo and a considerable military assembly. After speaking with professor Barnhardt, Klaatu is convinced that the Earth can be turned around. Helen, Jacob, and Klaatu rush back to Central Park so that Klaatu can try to stop the flood of tiny nano-bot “Gorts”. After most of Earth’s technology is rendered useless, Klaatu stops Gort and returns to his ship. Klaatu enters the ship and leaves Earth. 
Jennifer Connelly and Jaden Smith watch as Keanu Reeves leaves mankind to decide its own fate.
So should you go to see this movie in Theaters? Maybe possibly IMAX? In the opinion of this movie goer, I would say yes. Even if you have some sort of deep down hatred for Keanu Reeves like, well, everyone, still go see it. I myself, like Keanu Reeves. I think he’s great in this film. Who cares if he’s monotone and sometimes appears to literally be bored with what he’s doing. He plays an alien sent to eliminate an entire race of insignificant life forms. He himself holds incredible power over humans and is simply an intergalactic messenger. Wouldn’t you be bored if you were an intergalactic messenger?
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008) in theaters in and around Boston
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008) IMAX listings in and around Boston
“Farewell to the Master” can be read here, in its entirety
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) can be purchased here on Amazon.com
“The Day the Earth Stood Still”(2008) (1951) images copyright 20th Century Fox
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