Viewed in
2000, 2008
Premise
A mysterious alien arrives with a message, but will 'primitive' humans listen?
Who should watch
Movie buffs.
Thoughts
Antiquated, but still quite interesting. It felt like a standard sci-fi film, but that is probably because this set the standard for the genre.
Everyone has seen Gort the robot, but it's Klaatu the alien who made the film go. I was surprised by the story, as he tried to accomplish his mission from a grassroots approach. Given when it was made, the special effects were effective, and made me appreciate the film makers' creativity to overcome their obstacles. Also, gotta love that theremin music!
Naturally, the film was outdated, from the Cold War implications to the 'Gee whiz!' dialogue to Klaatu looking very human. I found that charming. One of Klaatu's complication was his inability to reach out to everyone on Earth, in today's world of internet and mobile technology, this seems silly.
Aside from the outdated feel, it was an honest attempt to create a story filled with imagination, moral ambiguity, and social commentary. For those who want to see how science fiction started, this is a must see.
What I would change
I might have taken the film more seriously without the subplot with the kid Klaatu befriends.
Spoiler Section!
I cannot believe I completely missed the Jesus references for Klaatu throughout the film. His resurrection and pseudonym of 'Carpenter' are dead giveaways! Had I been aware while watching, I might have appreciated it even more, as it added a layer of spirituality to the film. I am very curious if the remake will embrace or avoid this aspect.
Lastly, I liked the film's themes of peace and Klaatu's patience with human squabbling. I was expecting brain-sucking monsters, and got something with brains and heart.
