The Day the Earth Stood Still

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Mystery & Suspense

I knew nothing about the film and it turned out to be a good thing.

The cinemas have been churning out bad movies after the other these past few weeks. I was a victim of "Bolt" and the reviews of my friends was a last minute save from "Twilight." And so I wanted to stay away from the theaters even only up until the MMFF is finished. Last night however, I was craving for a movie. I need to escape to a new world and reward myself for finishing another subject for my MA. So I went to Robinson's, now my fave movie place.

There was nothing new in the line up except for this film. "Twilight" tempted me to see for myself how bad it is. A lady friend mentioned to me a long way back that "Four Christmasses" is delightful. But chick flicks have burned me many times. "Bolt" and even "Quantum of Solace" are still being shown and two independent films. Then there was this movie which I was not really planning to see and indeed was dreading to see because I was put off by its trailers and the loooooong title. But I need to give in to my craving.

And so...

The movie has its valleys and peaks. Acting valleys first. Keanu Reeve's one dimensional facial expression. However, it is forgivable since his character is not supposed to be human and all. Besides I am used to it courtesy of the Matrx Trilogy. Acting peaks are many: the son of Will Smith (yata,) Jaden Smith is unbelievable. Watch out for the part when his character resolves his conflicts Then there is Jennifer Conneley and the ever delightful "Dolores Clairborne" and "Misery" lady Kathy Bates.

Valleys of the storyline. The character of Keanu Reeves wasn't fully fleshed out (maybe because only his body is flesh) or even at time contadictory although the film provided enough details for one to form his or her own conclusions about him. Then the resolution of the film is quite deus ex machinaist to me. Besides, many Filipinos would probably not like the ending and some of the lines.

However, and here comes the peaks, the story has some, nay many surprises and twists not the least of all is its premise. I can hear myself and some members of the audience saying, "Oo nga naman" in many revelation parts.

There were two times in the film when I was made to say, I wish that would happen: that we be brought to a precipe and that the earth stand still.

Turns out the film is a remake. Maybe because a genuis in Hollywood thought, maybe it is now time people ask again the questions that this film's audiences many years ago asked albeit on an entirely different context and set of issues.