At the Movies with Fatwayne

OK, I’ll admit that I was around when the first “Earth” came out (or did I see it on TV?). Ah, who cares! In the intervening 57 years movies and special effects have come a long way indeed. Also, back then, it was the atomic bomb that had everyone concerned and now it is the ecology according to the message delivered in this film. At least I think that was the message hidden behind the demand that “mankind change its ways.”

I would assume that since the first version of this movie came out and now, we have not changed as a species very much. Check this out — a sphere from outer space lands in Manhattan and out of the mist comes an alien with his hand extended in what looks like an invitation to shake hands. So what do we do? I bet you guessed! We shoot him!! Nice way to make friends and influence aliens.

This does not bode well for us as far as the victim, Klaatu (Keanu Reeves) is concerned. He decides that the Earth must be saved from the humans and along with his “bodyguard,” Gort, they release a horde of what can best be described as nano insects. These nasty little critters eat through everything from steel to flesh and seem determined to eradicate all vestiges of humanity. With our armed forces unable to stop the cycloptic cyborg (Gort) and the nano bugs devouring everything in sight, I am fearful for our kind. Is there any possibility that we can survive this onslaught? Well, I’m still here writing about it so I guess we somehow manage to pull through.

As mentioned, movies have come a long way since the original. The visual effects in this one are good and there is a lot of sci-fi action to enjoy. The acting is passable although I found the little boy, Jacob, to be somewhat annoying. The time passed quickly which means that I must have been engrossed in the film.

Finally, I throw out this plea — if you happen upon an alien, please don’t shoot it! You never know, we could learn how to make a better mouse trap!

Rated – PG-13 -

Fatwayne’s rating: