The remake of this 1950s SciFi classic was released this week and is on show at the top cinemas. In the 1950s version, humanity was in danger of destroying the planet with nuclear weapons and Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). In this 2008 remake humanity is still threatening the planets survival, but this time it is the environment we are destroying.

In the original story, Klaatu the alien lands a flying saucer in a park in Washington and the military quickly surround the saucer. Klaatu comes out of the saucer and gets shot by a trigger happy soldier. This results in Gort a big robot to zap a few tanks and guns, until Klaatu manages to stop Gort with some commands. Klaatu is taken to a hospital and placed under guard, he escapes and meets some ordinary humans at a boarding house. Klaatu learns about the people of earth but in a meeting of scientists he annouces that earth should give up atomic energy or be eliminated. As a demonstration of power, Klaatu stops electrical power for a short period. When Klaatu leaves earth he warns humans to stop warfare and to live peacefully.

In the new version of the movie, Klaatu (Keanu Reeves) has come to the earth to save it from humans, as a friend of the earth. However in this case, saving the earth might require the elimination of humans. A scientist (Jennifer Connelly) tries to convince Klaatu that maybe there is another way of preventing the earths destruction.

The 2008 version is apparently an attempt at making a 'green film'. This goes beyond the films message and includes the way it was produced. Attempts were made to conserve the fuel and energy used, minimise paper usage, energy efficient appliances were used, the wardrobe costumes were passed on for re-use in other film productions or given to charities, eco friendly dyes and chemicals were used where possible and recycled or biodegradable materials used for set design etc.

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