When going into check out the film Super 8, I had no clue what it was about, nor could I really find out any information due to the fact that JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg intended it to be that way. Their sole purpose was to give that surprise and feeling of an intense thriller and the ultimate theatre experience.
JJ Abrams who has directed most recently successful Star Trek film and the critically acclaim TV Series Lost, takes us back to the 70’s were a group of kids who are fascinated in making a zombie film for the Cleveland film festival. In the mix of kids who are filming this zombie film is Joel Courtney, in his first film, whose mother died in a steel mill accident was struggling understand the pain of his loss and having a rocky relationship with his father. His father Jackson Lamb is a deputy in town played by Kyle Chandler (which he was one of my favorite characters in the film and is also known for his work the TV series Friday Night Lights.)
The kids decide to sneak out one night so they can do a night scene in there film by the train tracks. Then all the sudden they witness a major train crash….and as a movie critic, it would be more harm to talk about what happens next.
When watching the film, it felt like I was watching a film from the 70’s, 80’s time period, even the filming had that feel with the vintage filming technique. It really gave me the vibe of an ET/Sandlot feel, where you have a core of kids that have great chemistry and takes presence on a film similar to a John Hughes film.
The one problem I did have with the film is that it was so clique with certain pretenses. It did feel like the type of film it becomes was more of a tribute to the original films of Steven Spielberg. I don’t think that is a big problem, it just was a story that could’ve done with a little bit less of it.
This isn’t a perfect film…but I don’t think it was ever intended to be. If you loved the mystery thriller sci-fi type movies from the 70’s and 80’s, then this is one to see in the theatre. In fact, I think this movie would be more enjoyable in the theatres, with a bunch of people eating popcorn, and go along for the ride.
Grade: B
If you liked this film:
District 9 (2009)
ET (1982)
Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind (1977)