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What do you get when you re-make a classic landmark of science fiction film history like the 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still?

Better yet, throw in box-office favorite Keanu Reeves as the alien with the warning to humanity and replace the cold war message with one dealing with today’s obsession about environmental catastrophe.

Sound like a good idea?

Well, according to most of the mainstream critics, the result is an unqualified mess that may not appeal to anyone with a mental age over 12. And critics make a special note to point out to fans of the original film to skip this version altogether.

Of the few good comments on this update, critics point to a winning performance by Kathy Bates in a supporting role as a tough-as-nails politician. Also, the use of special effects and computer-generated imagery also got high marks.

But the lowest marks went to the story and script. More than one critic called the dialogue unintentionally laughable.

So, for those in fandom, this version it either destined for cult comedy status – or is headed to the dustbin alongside atrocities such as the remake of Planet of the Apes and the film version of Battlefield Earth.

WATCH THE TRAILER

{for=”San Jose Mercury News” value=”1″}

“… will probably resonate best with the preteens in the crowd, who might not necessarily care about the sluggish direction or the considerable gaps in logic. Everyone else would be much better off staying home and revisiting Armageddon or Deep Impact, which — compared to this movie — are models of intelligence, wit and complexity.” – Christopher Kelly

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“… Klaatu barada stinko. Pointless remake of the sci-fi classic is loaded with unintentional laughs.” – Alonso Duralde

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{for=”CNN” value=”3″}

“… The original movie is beginning to show its age, but at least it holds up as a story. That’s more than you can say for a preachy, draggy blockbuster that espouses a radical message of Luddite technophobia at the same time as it conspicuously plugs Honda and LG Electronics, and dresses up its half-baked thinking in blinding (but not that brilliant) CGI wizardry.” – Tom Charity

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{for=”Hollywood Reporter” value=”4″}

“… the best science fiction has always been about innovative ideas and challenging issues. In this regard, the updated The Day the Earth Stood Still falls far short of the original.” – Tom Charity

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And it’s due in just a few short hours. *cries*

I like writing, I’m fairly good at it, but I’m sick, again (though nothing like last time), and that just makes it harder. Plus, when I tried to get started early on this I had the worst time focusing and reading. Talk about inopportune writer’s block. Oy.

Yesterday I finally managed to write paragraphs! Huzzah! I was listening to the Halo and Halo 2 soundtracks at the time, and it was like BOOM, I could write. Why ruin a good thing? So that’s all I’ve been listening to while writing this stuff over and over in the background. I tried listening to something else, but nothing was working out so I went back to Halo. And no, silence doesn’t work either. The only time Halo became an issue was when I had to do some extensive reading and, after fumbling around a bit trying to find appropriate reading music, I switched it to Dirk Freymuth’s Celtic Music for Stress Relief (I am suddenly seeing the ironic pun in that). Then I was able to concentrate on reading. Yeah, I know, I’m weird, but we all knew that already didn’t we?

Okay, back to work for me; but hey, I’ve got Halo backing me up yo.

(Quick FYI: Halo is a science fiction first person shooter game. Apparently it’s a good game. Either way the music is freakin’ awesome and totally worth owning.)