Klaatu Barada Nikto - "The Day The Earth Stood Still"

By Environment Man

The 2008 remake is getting mixed reviews, particularly for leaving out the favorite phrase from the 1951 classic. Yet it has Neo with Gort as a cross between Morpheus and the Sentinels. It has an environmental theme compared to the cold war nuclear holocaust theme of the 20th century film.

It opened at $31 million domestically, taking in $70 million with the international take. With a production budget of $80 million, we would say it is a big hit.

Our favorite 'cool' alien dude, Keanu Reeves as Klaatu, says:

"...if the Earth dies, you die. If you die, the earth survives. I’m a friend to the earth. …I came to save the Earth [woman's response--you came to save the Earth from us].”

The globes were arks collecting species. All except humans. The plan was to wipe the Earth clean of the polluting, Earth-destructive humans. This is deep ecology hoowee.

Genetically Organized Robotic Technology [GORT] did not disappoint. He is a cross between 'old GORT and the Silver Surfer. GORT had nano robotic helpers that eat through anything and everything. Gort morphed into countless locust and they ate through the underground military facility. Then they started eating everything. Nano locust. Klaatu stopped the locust and left. Mankind was worth saving after all.

Of course Keanu as Klaatu did his Jesus routine. He walked on water and raised the dead. With 'GREEN' everywhere these days, I guess Klaatu as savior ain't all bad. 'Gort, Klaatu Barada Nikto.'