Boy, we never thought we'd say this, but Keanu Reeves was born to play this role. As the alien who visits Earth to warn humans of our impending doom, he is perfectly stone-faced and emotionless. The only time we get to laugh at his humorless persona is when he attempts to speak Mandarin.

A remake of the 1951 science-fiction classic, The Day The Earth Stood Still begins with federal agents and scientists panicking over a huge meteor traveling towards Manhattan. When the flying object appears, it turns out to be a glowing ball of energy that gently lands on the ground without hurting anyone.

Emerging from the ball is an alien, who eventually looks like Keanu Reeves. One of investigating scientists, Jennifer Connelly, senses that this extraterrestrial entity does not wish to harm anyone. So she helps him escape from federal detention - only to discover that all of mankind is on the brink of extinction…

The Day The Earth Stood Still tells a simple and uncomplicated sci-fi tale with a eco-friendly message. It doesn't reinvent the wheel in anyway, but it does keep the wheel turning slowly. As shown in his last film The Exorcism of Emily Rose, director Scott Derrickson tends to takes B-grade storylines very seriously, making The Day The Earth Stood Still more dignified and graceful than it has any right to be.

If one can forgive the silly ending, one may just enjoy it as a throwaway popcorn experience.