Rating:  -
Forget the goofy remake with the bloated CG, forget Keanu Reeves and his one-note acting, this right here is the real, original, honest-to-goodness sci-fi masterpiece that will continue to captivate classic cinema fans long after Neo's career careens into some vapid Disney vortex of talking dogs, crazy professors and reluctant Santa Clauses. The Day The Earth Stood Still is neither cheap, cheesy or shoddy and it didn't rely solely on the xenophobia of its day to succeed; it's a well-made, thought-provoking metaphor. The acting was "swell," especially from Michael Rennie as Klaatu, the talking was fast and special effects were highly effective despite being relatively simple. One couldn't ask for better sci-fi!
When people talk about classic sci-fi, I think War of the Worlds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and, without hesitation, The Day The Earth Stood Still. If you're tired of the silly, action-adventures dressed up as sci-fi and you want to be challenged and provoked, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this 2-disc set, it's a phenomenal release.
The Day The Earth Stood Still is classy, sophisticated cinema that asked the question, "Can man overcome his fearmongering, warmongering nature even in the face of impending doom?" Instead of the thinly-veiled, Red Scare propaganda of the Cold War fifties, like so many sci-fi classics are, TDTESS does its best to blur the lines of race and nationality, it's not about Americans and Russians or Black or White, it's about all of mankind. We're given the "big picture" and expected to overcome mutual misunderstandings, fear and aggression for the "greater good" of all on this planet. That's what intelligent sci-fi is all about. I cannot recommend this film enough.
Rating: -
One of the best sci-fi's ever made. Great story line and powerful performances by all. The alien in this movie is scary... you will never forget the famous line " Klato Verada Nicto " once you see this film.
Rating: -
After renting a long line of sci fi B movies from the 50s for fun, we rented this one to remember what real movie making was like. The acting in this movie is top notch, with Patricia Neal turning in a solid performance, with depth of character and thoughtful touches. The alien visitor, who could so easily have some across as smarmy and superior, is carried off with gravity and humor. Even the annoying boyfriend, who could have been a cardboard cutout of a character, is well-acted. All the lines are delivered convincingly, with the kind of tone and pauses that makes characters come to life. It's *fun* watching it all done well.
The special effects are good for a 1951 movie, but they aren't the main part of the story and are used sparingly. The story is a classic, and like all good sci fi, it's more about what we are like as humans than anything else. The movie drips an acid commentary on mil-think, media bias, and small minded hysteria, making it still relevant today.
Highly recommended for anyone that wants to see solid science fiction - well written, well acted, well filmed, and well edited.
If you need an antidote after watching Cat Women of the Moon, it's right here.
Rating:  -
This is a science fiction film that is moderately good at times.
It was made in the early 1950s so the technology, special effects, etc. are minimal. That is understandable.
The story itself is more problematic. It is basically propaganda camouflaged as entertainment. The gist of the story is about an alien from another planet, Klaatu (Michael Rennie) who comes to Earth along with his robot Gort (Lock Martin) to threatent Earthlings with their extinction if they continue along their 'warlike path'. There is a scene with Klaatu that is an allegory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is rather tasteless especially considering that the message delivered is one of death threats in complete contrast to the message of love and life given by Jesus. The basic message of the interplanetary traveler is: 'be peaceful or we'll kill you'.
If not for the questionable messages given, this might be considered a pretty good movie from that period of time. As it is, I do not recommend it.
Rating: -
Even though this movie
looks goofy to this generation
of movie viewers, it is still
soooo much better to me than
this remake that is out now.
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