Super 8: something spooky's going on
Imagine this: a train is travelling towards you at breakneck speed, and in the train contains a secret – the summer blockbuster season’s biggest secret of all – and before you have time to digest what’s happening, the train crashes and explodes, destroying all pirates and spandex-clad superheroes at once. Yes, whatever it is, it’s almost here.
SUPER 8 is the brainchild of science-fiction wunderkind J.J. Abrams – yes, he who created LOST, FRINGE, and singlehandedly saved STAR TREK from the final frontier. And if that wasn’t enough, Steven Spielberg – patron saint of the blockbuster – is on board as producer.
The film – set in the 70s – follows a group of teenage filmmakers, who, whilst shooting with their Super 8 camera, witness a huge train crash. But here’s the catch: there’s something in one of the carriages, something… secret. And now it’s out – and their little town is big danger.
Super 8: getting ready to shoot
According to Abrams, the concept of SUPER 8 came from the fusion of two separate ideas: one about goofy kids trying to shoot movies, and one about something that escapes captivity as the government transports it from Area 51. Whether this means that something is indeed alien is uncertain. Abrams has a tendency to throw his audience curveballs, as is evidenced in his enigmatic TV work. In fact, there is a whole lot of mystery wrapped around this project, and what happens to the group of teens – led by lead characters Joe (Joel Courtney) and Charles (Riley Griffiths) – remains to be seen.
The Hollywood News was fortunate enough to catch a twenty-minute preview of the movie, with a few words from Abrams himself. It’s safe to say that the movie could be blockbuster of the year. With tense and exciting action, spooky monster/alien/whatever shenanigans, and an endearing cast of characters, there’s little more viewers could want for their money.
It may be the summer season’s best-kept secret, but it won’t be for long – we guarantee it.
Super 8 is released this August
