Last Saturday, Dad, Mason and I went to the Warren Theater in Moore, Oklahoma to catch the 2008 remake/reimagining of The Day the Earth Stood Still.

First, a few words about the Warren Theater. The Warren is 25 miles away from my house. There are two theaters within 2 miles of my home, and we passed many others along the way. General admission tickets at the Warren are a couple of bucks more than either of those other theaters, and the snacks and drinks are about the same — which is to say, insanely high. $12.50 for a large tub of popcorn and two drinks (plus an additional fifty cents for butter) is crazy. But when you get inside the theater, it’s all worth it. The floors are carpeted, not sticky concrete. Every theater at the Warren has digital video and THX audio. When things explode on screen, it shakes the floor and puts rumbly in your tumbly. Warren Theater also has a Zero Tolerance cell phone policy — if they catch you talking or texting on your phone during the movie, you’re gone (no refunds). So not only is the theater technically astounding, but they’ve also weeded out all the people who can’t afford $7 for a movie, making the theater a place where people can go to enjoy a movie instead of a babysitting service. They offer a movie-watching experience that I cannot (currently) duplicate in my home. For the average drama, I’m sure a DVD at home would be just fine, but the next blockbuster that comes out where stuff blows up, you’ll find me down at the Warren. End plug.

And now for our feature presentation. The Day the Earth Stood Still is an updated version of the 1951 sci-fi classic. Based on a few of the reviews I read (Klaatu Barada Stinko) I didn’t have high hopes, but despite the swarm of bad reviews (I couldn’t find a positive one just now), I must sheepishly admit that I enjoyed the film.

Obviously the story has been updated — Klaatu’s concern this time around is not because of nuclear weapons, but because of the damage we are inflicting upon the Earth. As Klaatu says in the movie, “I’m here to save the Earth.” Viewers quickly learn that he does not necessarily mean the humans inhabiting it. Interest has been shifted from the female lead’s love interest’s dating life to her relationship with her stepson, the professor still makes and appearance and Gort is back too, both bigger and smaller (heh) than before.

I had not watched the original movie in over two decades, so a couple of weekends ago Susan and I pulled out the DVD and watched it. With it fresh on my mind, I don’t think the remake did it any injustice. It’s not 100% true to the original, but what fun would that be? I’m not sure if I will be the lone dissenter to stand up for the film or if it’ll turn out to be one of those movies that movie-goers liked and film critics hated, but either way I found the movie to be entertaining.