"The Day the Earth Stood Still," to be Released December, 2008

A flying saucer lands in Washington, D.C., which leads to Klaatu, a visiting alien, being shot by trigger happy soldiers. An indestructible robot steps out of the spaceship and lays waste to all human weaponry within moments. Klaatu is revived and placed under observation as Gort prepares to destroy the Earth.

Starring Keanu Reeves (Klaatu), Jennifer Connelly (Helen), Kathy Bates, John Cleese (Dr. Barnhardt)

Release Date: December 12, 2008 Rating: Unknown.

Trailer from traileraddict.com:



In December of 2008 a remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" will hit theatres starring Keanu Reeves as Klaatu and Jennifer Connelly as Helen. With almost sixty years since the original, some movie viewers will not realize that this movie was originally shown in 1951, to rave reviews. Each year a portion of new releases are based on previously produced work; in 2008 both "Prom Night" and "The Women" are remakes of movies shot over twenty years ago. But what will audiences think of these reworked ideas?

Some might say that movies like the "Titanic," "Ocean's Eleven," and "The Departed," are actually better than the originals but it up to each movie goer to decide what qualifies as an entertaining movie experience (Remakes). Last year's "The Invasion" did poorly at the box office not because it was a remake but simply because it was a disastrous movie. Other movies like 1998s "Godzilla" showed movie audiences a new low in cinema entertainment. As well, if movie goers are tired of movie remakes then they will have an opportunity to vote with their cinema going dollars as the following remakes are already in production: "Escape from New York," "Rosemary's Baby," "Robocop," "Highlander," and "Conan the Barbarian (Squidoo)."

On the other hand, remakes offer new audiences, who have not seen the original material, a chance to see these features for the first time. "The Departed," is one movie that stands out in 2007 that was a refreshing take on some previously used material. "The Departed," went on to win Best Motion Picture and numerous other awards, while being a well written piece, which brought the theme of the double-cross to new heights.

Many film-goers are complaining that there are no creative ideas left in Hollywood or that remakes ruin the original (MovieBlog). What some viewers might not be aware of is that writing an adaptation, for some producers, is in fact more difficult than writing an original idea. When a screenwriter is given the option of coming up with an original idea the possible story directions become endless. However, with a remake like "I Am Legend" there are only so many different ways that Richard Matheson's original material can be interpreted, thereby, limiting writers and directors in many ways (MovieBlog). As for a remake ruining the original piece, this is seldom true as the original work is more likely to be revisited, when the original material is reproduced. Many viewers who have seen "I Am Legend" have gone back to look at other re-workings of Matheson's novel like "Last Man on Earth" or "The Omega Man." All three movies remain original and offer a unique commentary on each respective time period.

If as a movie-goer your opinion is that remakes are a disgrace to the cinema screen then there will be plenty of chances to avoid them in 2008. Viewers can vote with their dollars to encourage the production of remakes or to discourage. Hollywood will produce what audiences want to see, as Studios want to see a return on their initial investment. Unfortunately, just as there are tragically produced, written, and directed original movies there are also disastrously acted, edited, and filmed remakes. Have a look at "The Wicker Man," released in 2006. But for every bad remake there sometimes comes along a great one; for instance "3:10 to Yuma," which is based on Halsted Welles 1957 screenplay. "3:10 to Yuma," recharged the western as a slick, character-driven story full of angst and bravado.

In the end, it comes down to each individual movie-goer as to what makes an entertaining film, remake or otherwise. In the meantime, remakes are likely to make an appearance over the next few years. A new Friday the 13th remake, anyone?

Sources:

Why Do Some People Hate Remakes? 15 Aug.2008. 17 Sep. 2008 .
Why Do Some People Hate Remakes Article

What Were They Thinking. 17 Sep. 2008 .
What Were They Thinking Article

Posted in: jennifer connolly,keanu reeves,remake,science fiction,the day the earth stood still