It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

I don't understand why people dislike this movie so much. Many seems to compare it with the original, which I have never seen, but I still think each movie deserves to be judged independently either way. Secondly, people seem to have some problem with Jaden Smith? Sure, he might be a spoiled brat, but in the movie it makes perfect sense why he's acting the way he does towards Helen since he feels that she's not her real parent and probably wouldn't want to be around him if the circumstances were different. Keanu Reeves as an unemotional (at least according to human standards) alien makes perfect sense and he fits the role well. Sure the CGI is cheap, and it's a bit low to have product placement in big movies, but it's not like it distracted me that much. Overall the plot is good, the motives make sense and all in all it's just another satisfying Sci-Fi movie with some geopolitical and philosophical elements. Sure, it might not be a 10 star movie, but it surely doesn't deserve the massive hate and outrage of 1 star votes that it got here. And according to me deserves a higher average score than 5.5,

If Klatu and his robot had come to Earth to kill Jaden Smith, i would have given this Movie 10 stars. I'll be Frank. this kid ruined the movie for me. The 1951 version is still my favorite. 2008 version has some good effects, But changing the storyline is stupid. Casting is atrocious. And I'll say it again Jaden Smith killed the Movie for me.

Movie Review: "The Day The Earth Stood Still" (2008)One of the event movies of Holiday season 2008/2009 turns out to be uncorking, suspenseless moral science-fiction-tale on environmental maintenance and social stability. Based on on 1950s classic directed by Robert Wise (1914-2005), remake director Scott Derrickson gets corrupted by Hollywood politics, enslaved by an mediocre script by David Scarpa, which lured an ensemble cast led by actress Jennifer Connelly and Keanu Reeves as the infamous character in an human body from outer space Klaatu, further over-ambitious supporting characters including Kathy Bates and Jon Hamm, who at no time had a chance to deliver any decisive beats to a rooster of endless shot raw footage, enriched with some high-end visual effects, only to end up with motion picture of 100 minutes, which wanted to be an epic science-fiction adventure, where characters are not just thread to lose their lives by an extraterrestrial invasion but their innocence in human conflicts in the process of survival.© 2017 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainemtns LLC)

I've seen this film a couple of times and that's more than enough. I've probably seen the original a dozen times and I'll happily watch it again. The difference between the 2 films is very simple - the first was good and this remake is rubbish.Special effects, dramatic music and a few explosions can never compensate for a poorly scripted, poorly directed and poorly acted storyline, and a film full of implausible and unexplained nonsense. The ludicrously aggressive and jingoistic vice president is a parody, as are the arrogant military types who pop up from time to time. The gaggle of scientists that's brought together at the start seems to be pretty much superfluous to the rest of the story, as it's only the good looking girl (surprise, surprise !) who plays any prolonged part. The utterly unnecessary child is, presumably, included for box office reasons only, as his part could have been equally well played by a furry animal. As a whole, it's hard to imagine what audience this was made for, or what audience it would appeal to.As others have written before, the characters have no warmth and engender no sympathy. They all seem to be doing little more than 'going through the motions'. Indeed, if I were Klaatu, I'd want to wipe them all out too.I suppose that one day, someone will make a good film, one with a sensible story, good script, good direction and real acting, and without the special effects, flashy cinematography, constantly shifting scenes and portentous music. One day.