The Day the Earth Stood Still: The IMAX ExperienceMovie Reviews

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• So-so Based on 9,824 reviews
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  Written January 12, 2009

  If You Haven't Seen the Original-Go.

  by SinisterCadre

  I have not seen the original version of this movie, and so I did not enter the theater with any bias. I had no list of demands from the director or actors, because I had nothing to compare this movie to. And thankfully so, because I found this movie to be very enjoyable. Reeves's performance has been criticized as being mechanical, but I find that his character choice in this movie was very appropriate and believable. The special effects were not overwhelming, and they certainly did not take the place of the storyline at any point. Will Smith's son was pretty convincing in his role as annoying child. I think it is worth a view if you enjoy sci-fi movies with an underlying moral to the story.

  • 9 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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• So-so
  Written December 14, 2008

  The Day the Earth Stood Still

  by bgbailey60

  As often happens, the original movie was better--in fact, it was FAR better. Effects were good; however, they took over the movie, which means the story line got lost. I would not recommend seeing it in the theatre unless you are only interested in effects. I feel like I wasted my money.

  • 7 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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  Written December 30, 2008

  G.O.R.T. ROX!

  by rockoinology

  This adaptation loosely follows the original. VERY loosely. The kid doesn't befriend Klaatu, in fact wants to see him killed. The same premise, humans are destroying the earth, must be eliminated, yada yada... But the special FX were pretty cool. I especially like the over the top version of G.O.R.T. in this film. Very sinister, and very threatening. I read another review that commented on Reeves performance as "aloof" and "unemotional", but I understood that he was playing the part of an alien intelligence that has no idea what human emotions are. All in all, it was a decent homage to a film from a bygone era, that has the same message as the original, and said message can be applied to this day and age as well. Good entertainment, well worth seeing.

  • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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• So-so
  Written December 23, 2008

  Definitely a So-So Movie

  by rawood46

  I saw it twice (the 2nd time in order to take my wife)....once at a regular theater and once at IMAX. The IMAX showing was phenomenal. The story sorta followed the original release. However, I think the biggest mistake was casting Keanu Reeves as Klaatu. Of course, if one is casting for a character essentially without emotion, then Keanu was cast correctly (sorry, Keanu). Nearly everyone else (including Will Smith's young son) did an especially good job. The special effects and computer graphics were what saved this version of "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

  • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 8, 2009

  The Day The Earth Stood Still

  by cw11672

  Great movie. Even better than the original! I loved G.O.R.T. And the means of our destruction was cool, too. Reminded me of scarabs in ancient Egypt. If you enjoy good science fiction movies this is a must see!

  • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 13, 2008

  Nice modernization of the original.

  by oliasdoug

  While this wasn't a PERFECT reworking of the 1951 classic, it stands on its own as a very worthy remake with (of course) fantastic special effects, Keanu Reeves playing a chilling role of Klaatu, Jennifer Connolly, Kathy Bates and Jaden Smith in good supporting roles. (Some critics have dissed Keanu's acting role as a continuation of Neo, but what the hell were they expecting? He's playing an alien! I found his ultra-calm demeanor very menacing.) If I had one wish for this movie, I would've really liked to have seen more of an exchange between Keanu & John Cleese...the exchange of more questions & answers could have been very creative, not to mention fascinating. Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie & believe most sci-fi fans will as well. It follows the original in several aspects, and adds some elements of its own that I think work very well (e.g., the metallic "insects"). I didn't particularly enjoy paying $17 for an IMAX ticket, but I guess that's the price you pay...

  • 5 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 31, 2009

  the day the earth stood still

  by sucald

  This movie started off good and held my interest, I like the updated version and cool tech stuff and of course Keonu Reeves, but half way through, it started to feel more like a movie all about the child ,I didn't like that, there was to much kid in the movie, it took away from the real meaning of spaceman and warning the people of earth. I'm a real big fan of the original movie. and i was kind of disappointed.

  • 6 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 21, 2009

  The Day the Earth Stood Still By DAGAMER77

  by DAGAMER77

  This movie is fantastic! If you like sci-fi you will love it also. Seeing it in the IMAX was a spectacular bonus. I am going to see it again (second time) today in the IMAX for sure.
  
  Trivia The original came out in 1951 two years before color tv came out.

  • 8 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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  Written December 13, 2008

  We must save the Earth! Or ELSE!!!

  by Movie jedi 127

  If you wanted to see a movie about why we should change our carbon foot print , then you should see this movie. When an Alien United nations sees the Human race as a disease and want to exterminate us , It may change your idea about recycling and thinking green.
  Keanu Reeves acting as a monotone alien is spot on. The supporting actors did a fine job carrying the storyline and keeping the movie on track. I did enjoy the movie but, I was hoping for more action then what was shown. If you liked the original the new version will give you a new view aspect on the story.

  • 6 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written December 13, 2008

  Pretty good

  by jamal1989

  Entertaining, decent acting, nice special effects. I recommend it (but if you watch it, watch it in imax because some of its scences are made perfect for imax).

  • 5 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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  Written December 15, 2008

  The Day the Earth Stood Still: The IMAX Experience

  by NCIC_OK

  Pros: The FX was good,a couple of the twists were good, good acting, the metallic insects was cool idea. IMAX was cool.
  Cons: The original story was better, more believeable actors in the oriinal, and Jennifer Connelly having a black kid was dumb (Will Smith's son). Holywood is pushing this kind of pc crap down out throats. The kid in the picture was a big pain in the butt. Dakato Fanning would have been a much better choice. Gort was better is a lot of respects in the original.
  
  I'd give it 7.5 stars out of 10....

  • 3 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  Written January 13, 2009

  Very nice remake of old film.

  by Maxim1980

  Interesting picture and another nice work of Keanu.
  
  But if you will go there to see another independence day - DON"T. It is much more philosophical than SCI FI. Interesting thoughts especially if you read the book or/and watched old movie. Nothing changed heh?...
  Effects are nice but be aware ? they will last first 5 and last 5 minutes of the film. Other than that it is a lot of dialogs.
  I liked it a lot, but my friends spited on this ? some really liked it, some didn?t.
  So go and make you own opinion! Good luck.
  

  • 10 out of 18 found this review helpful.
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  Written December 15, 2008

  Interesting...

  by jonathanseas

  the first part of this movie was as taut as anything ever made. Not a wasted word, not a wasted moment. It all built toward...something.
  
  However, the "something" was evidently other than what was left when the producers got through with the movie. As someone who HAS produced a movie, the influence of producers over directors and writers is inordinate, and can cost a movie its greatness. That evidently happened here.
  
  It was still good to watch, but its soul had been cut out.
  
  I can't wait for the Directors Cut. THAT should be exceptional.

  • 4 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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• Must Go!
  Written January 4, 2009

  Amazing

  by jmtar

  reeves is great as usual.The atmosphere of the movie was very cool and we could have watched it back 2 back if we'd had time. Definitely go see it.

  • 5 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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• So-so
  Written December 14, 2008

  Pretty much a let down

  by umchsettlement

  Had a chance to be an alright movie, but never really made it and the ending was just so-so...

  • 3 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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