The Day the Earth Stood Still - Essay Example

Other (s) The Day the Earth Stood Still Throughout the article, Pardon talks about the interpretation of the 1951 classic film “The Day the Earth Stood Still” in the current post 9/11 society. As opposed to the cold war fear mongering of the 1950s, the author argues that the contemporary post 9/11 global society is grasped in other forms of fears such as the threat of terrorism as well as xenophobia. According to Pardon (142), “The Day the Earth Stood Still” attempts to explain the role of mankind in the universe as well as the need to prevent our planet’s environmental damage.

The major argument in this regard is that there are a number of cold war period themes in the 1951 classic film “The Day the Earth Stood Still” that are still relevant in the contemporary post 9/11 American society Pardon has significantly employed a number of depictions in the movie to highlight some of his arguments in the movie. For example to support his argument that the post 9/11 global society is still faced with threats and fears just as during the 1950s cold war periods, the author has used the irrationality of some politicians and leaders such as Saddam Hussein and George W.

Bush just as was mentioned by Klaatu in the 1951 classic film. In this context, the argument is that bad leaders are slowly destroying humanity and the universe just as were in the 1950s. As opposed to original 1951 movie which largely carried anti-nuclear message, there are a number of incidences in the movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still” which talks about the effects of our current environmental ignorance such as the current global warming as well as the fact that human beings can still change their ways for the betterment of our planet (Pardon, 145).

In my opinion, the article “Revisiting a science fiction classic” demonstrates a number of strengths which have effectively helped the author to support his arguments throughout the article. For example by enacting fantasy using an alien as a champion for environmental conservation, the article highlights the urgent need for behavioral change for all the members of the contemporary society with regard to environmental conservation just as it was in the past with regard to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

The Author has also revisited the fear mongering depictions in the 1951 original classic movie in its environmental advocacy. For example, in the classic film, there are instances where the world is held ransom by the aliens unless everyone adopts the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Similarly the contemporary post 9/11 society is also experiencing its fears such as terrorism threats. One major weakness that is evident in the article is the fact that revisiting the themes of the classic movies in the contemporary films does not often bring the intended message with the clarity it may require.

For example in the case of the film “The Day the Earth Stood Still”, the revisited themes may bring the pleasure and fear intended by the producers but fail to address the political issue at the center of the film as it were in the 1950s. In conclusion, there are a number of themes in the 1951 classic film “The Day the Earth Stood Still” are still relevant in the current post 9/11 society. For example just like in the 1950s cold war era when the world was facing threats related to the irrationality of our leaders such as the use of nuclear weapons, the contemporary society is still faced with threats such as terrorism and xenophobia.

I therefore support the arguments of the article.Works CitedPardon, Joshua, “Revisiting a Science Fiction Classic:  Interpreting The Day the Earth Stood Still for Contemporary Film Audiences,” Journal of Popular Film & Television, 36(Fall 2008): 141-149.Print.