The big end-of-the-year science fiction blockbuster from Twentieth Century Fox receives the fancy Blu-Ray treatment in this deluxe edition. It’s almost too good for the movie inside.
THE FILM
As I stated in my initial review in December of last year, the original THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL was one classic that was begging to be remade. The original film was slow, clunky, and preachy, although for its time it was a groundbreaking piece of science fiction art. Like INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, TDTESS has something meaningful to say about human society and tendencies that can stand the re-visitation every generation.
And while this film attempts some bold science fiction concepts, it ultimately fails due to a poorly-constructed script, some limp and annoying performances, and some truly awful and uninspired special effects.
It’s truly a shame, because underneath the obvious and typical studio hackery, there are some terrific ideas gasping for air. It just doesn’t work.
THIS EDITION
Fox has lavished three discs on this spectacular “special edition” Blu-Ray version of this film. It’s truly breathtaking.
DISC ONE
On this disc you get the 2008 version of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL in a wonderfully crisp transfer. In fact, it’s almost too good, revealing the crappy special effects in even more detail than was available theatrically. Ugh…
Then there are several key extra features to this disc. Most revealing about the production is the commentary track by screenwriter David Scarpa, who shines a light on the troubled process of bringing this script to the screen. Throughout his dialogue, you can see the meddling fingerprints of studio people and star Keanu Reeves, who clearly do not have an eye for coherent storytelling. Scarpa had a vision of the film as a type of 2001-meets-CLOSE ENCOUNTERS type of science fiction film, a vision that was ultimately lost to the studio’s insistence on creating a tentpole film. As usual, it was a bad idea.
Besides a few making-of featurettes, there is a magnificent little film included here called WATCHING THE SKIES: IN SEARCH OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE. It is almost worth the price of the Blu-Ray all by itself. Crammed with information and terrific interviews, the film chronicles man’s attempt to contact or find alien life. It is truly inspired and inspiring, easily touching that sense of wonder and hopefulness inherent in our desire to reach the stars. Awesome.
DISC TWO
With this disc, Fox provides what is quickly becoming standard practice: a digital copy of the film to use on Portable Media Players. Since I have none, I cannot attest to the quality of it … but I’m sure it’s top notch.
DISC THREE
Here’s where it gets really great! Disc THREE is the brand new Blu-Ray version of the 1951 classic! The film has never looked better, and it is a perfect (although obvious) companion to the 2008 film. Watching it again, the classic does suffer from the symptoms of its age – the paranoia, the slow pacing, and the contrived situations. However, it remains a pioneer among science fiction films for its thoughtfulness and iconic imagery. GORT ain’t bad, either.
OVERALL
An amazing collection for a fairly disappointing and unremarkable science fiction film. While I can’t wholly recommend the film due to some serious problems, this excellent Blu-Ray edition almost makes it a must-have for science nerds and fans of science fiction.
Kudos to Fox for doing it right.
6 Comments
This hateful remake of a science fiction classic is truly something to hold in contempt.
I have to make a confession: I enjoyed the film.
So, I said it. Now other people can come out and say it too. Dont be afraid. Theres nothing wrong with being a fan of cheesy big budget apocalyptic flicks.
@ Z – Even though you hate the film, can’t you see that it had some definite possibilities? I thought some of the science fiction ideas in it were intriguing. In fact, the wasting of these fine ideas in the service of Hollywood blockbuster mode makes the film a little less forgiveable.
@ Z – I realize that its a classic and all, but have you watched the original recently? Ray’s right in the fact that it suffers from lots of problems stemming from the film’s age. I’m not going to recount them as Ray has already done so. I’m all for the classic films, they are great ways to see how far our films have progressed in such a short time, but let it go. They are going to remake everything whether we want them to or not. As long as people go see it they will make it. I’m just tired of fighting it, hell most of the remakes aren’t that bad if you take them at face value and don’t compare them to the original.
I personally enjoyed the film quite a bit too, but I also assumed it was going to be a blockbuster styled movie with Keanu Reeves in it, so I was expecting very little.
The only way to stop these hateful and mediocre remakes is to not support them by giving them your money. It saddens me that the legacy of classic films is being tarnished with these shoddy and pitiful rip-off jobs. How can you claim to love film and support this crap? In your heart of hearts you know it is wrong. Every time you spend money on one of these quick cash-ins you are encouraging the studios to do it again. Why bother to stand up against an overwhelming tide of mediocrity? Gee I don’t know, because these classic films mean something beyond a facile marketing campaign aimed at an apathetic consumer culture. To watch something you love and hold sacred tarted up and cheapened for mass consumption is truly heartbreaking. If nothing is sacred than nothing really means anything. I refuse to just throw my hands up and say that it’s okay. Yes I am sure the narrative is improved greatly by having Keanu Reeves star in it. I can’t wait to see what classic film Hollywood imrpoves next. KC if you actually believe that films are improving you have not been paying attention. The majority of films that come out now are mass marketed garbage aimed squarely at certain rigidly defined demograhics. Now they come up with the marketing campaign before they even write the script! Films have never been worse in my opinion. Even the supposedly important pictures are for the most part complete trash. The list of crap films with questionable messages is a mile long. Yes Hollywood is a business, but at one time there were artists working within the studio system, They made films that entertained but were also true works of art. Now it does not even matter if the film is any good. It only matters if they can sell it or if it has name brand recognition. These remakes are the height of studio laziness and greed. I urge anyone who really cares about film as an art form first and commerce second to not support this horrifying trend.
@ Z – I absolutely agree with you. For me, the saddest part is the dumbing down of society through movies. Films can be art AND commerce, but in recent times, they have trended toward making big dumb blockbusters without any art.
When was the last time a big budgeted special effects movie came out that actually had a brain, or made you think? Was it THE MATRIX, possibly? Every year we’re bombarded with brainless bullshit like VAN HELSING or FAST AND FURIOUS … what it the cumulative effect on society?