Louis approaches a remade classic with hesitation, but finds some redeeming qualities…
Yes, even beforeStar Wars, this blew me away at the time.
Lets start with the bad.
The movie could be shorter.
Too much time is spent setting up the character of Klaatu.
Consequently, more could have been done to expand upon some of the latter parts of the plot.
Some of the plot devices used are pretty ridiculous.
Then we have Kathy Bates.
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Kathy Bates is a superb actress in her own right given the correct material.
Im sorry, but her characterisation grates on me from the beginning being both unrealistic and overly reactive.
I wont go into just how creaky the script is.
Maybe Im missing the point though?
The original movie was a drama, helped along by believable characters and a thoughtful story.
Although it had the obligatory ray-blasts and disintegration, it wasnt about that.
It was a story meant to make us think, as all good science fiction should.
Even the alias that Klaatu uses in the first film is a pointer towards this plot-point.
The second film uses none of this.
The new Klaatu is colder, less human and more lobotomised than the original.
He rapidly forms the opinion that he needs to save the planet and not humanity.
His social mannerisms are clumsy, and sterile.
He uses only the minimum amount of conversation to get across the point he needs to make.
He is in fact more alien in this new movie than in the original.
However, this is what gives this character more realism.
The TransferThe new version of the movie is an excellent transfer.
Blacks and dark scenes are flawless.
The colours are moody and really set the scene.
If that wasnt enough, the HD 5.1 channel surround mix blows you away.
This is a real home cinema treat.
The commentary was excellent and even more interesting than the movie.
The green message does bring it up to date.
Keanu Reeves plays the role he has been given well especially considering the script limitations.
Jennifer Connelly makes a good intelligent female lead, and plays the scientist and struggling step mum with aplomb.
Jayden Smith, the young son of Will Smith, is a bratty but believable step son.
Film:
Rating:
2 out of 5
