Director: JJ Abrams
Cast: Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Riley Griffiths, Kyle Chandler.
Certificate: 12A
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Synopsis: After losing his mother to a freak accident, Joe (Joel Courtney) spends his time making super 8 movies with his high-school friends. But whilst filming one night, they witness an explosive train crash, and their small town is soon subject to strange events, including the mysterious disappearances of its residents. When the military roll into town, Joe and his friends suspect there may have been something top-secret aboard the train, something they may just have captured on film…
From the strings that play over the opening seconds of SUPER 8, there’s no mistaking that the movie is Amblin to its core. Undoubtedly, it is J.J. Abrams’ love letter to the movies that dominated his youth, those that inspired him to become the science fiction wunderkind we know today. Much like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s PAUL earlier this year, SUPER 8 pays tribute to all things Spielberg (on board here as producer), and Abrams has done a sterling job in recreating the tone, narrative, and overall atmosphere of the films Spielberg made during the 1980s. Indeed, SUPER 8 is a movie by, for, and about film lovers. And for those familiar with the type of movie Abrams has so earnestly attempted to homage, SUPER 8 will play as a comforting experience – a satisfying addition to the blockbuster canon that Spielberg himself helped create.
Like much of Abrams’ previous work (LOST, CLOVERFIELD), SUPER 8 has been cloaked in secrecy. By utilising a brilliant viral campaign filled with teasers and clues, the details of SUPER 8 have remained ambiguous. And this is something that continues into the movie itself. Though audiences have ultimately come to see a monster, the focus of the story is squarely on its young cast, some of whom make their feature film debuts here. Whilst viewers await the ‘big reveal’ and key plot details, the characters are given ample time to develop and will connect with the audience in a way that is rare in many contemporary blockbusters. The actors take advantage of this opportunity, and deliver strong performances despite their limited experience. Elle Fanning (Alice) and Joel Courtney (Joe) are particularly effective, and do a fine job in carrying a movie in which viewers are surely more concerned with whatever it is Abrams has hiding in the shadows. In fact, the whole juvenile gang is genuinely endearing, and Abrams continues to demonstrate his reverent intentions through them: the group see the world around them in terms of movies, often experiencing life’s defining moments as if they were conventions of cinema. Consider Charles’ (Riley Griffiths) ability to view the world as a camera shot, or Joe’s growing attraction to Alice as he watches her play out a scene from their amateur film.
SUPER 8 also focuses heavily on family ties, and the crux of its narrative relies on the amendment of broken relationships. This is played out in the delicate exchanges between Joe and widowed police deputy Jackson (Kyle Chandler), and explosive relations between Alice and drunken father (Ron Eldard). Once again, this echoes the family-centric sensibilities of Spielberg’s work, and though it proves suitably emotional and effective, it is also undeniably generic. Along with the appearance of the militarty and their predictably dastardly ways, there’s no hiding the fact that much of SUPER 8 has been done before, and the conclusion of each story-arc is never in any question.
This doesn’t however, mean than the film is anything less than brilliant, and it remains exciting and suspenseful throughout. Abrams has done a masterful job is building tension, and his action sequences are amongst the film’s finest points. In holding back the monster whilst delivering breath-taking set pieces, Abrams has created a narrative that will have audiences impatient for the next event and possible glimpse of the creature.
For those that revel in the Spielberg style, SUPER 8 will satisfy regardless, and will agree that Abrams has succeeded in paying pitch-perfect tribute to the films that have inspired an entire generation. And if you enjoy your cinema with a thick helping of American cheese, then all-the better. But for those who reqiure something a little more demanding, SUPER 8 may leave you wanting a more – for all the secrecy and shadows that surround the movie, it is essentially a retread of old material. But surely that’s the point – Abrams came to play it old school, and that much he has achieved. It’s as exciting, tense, and touching as anything you’re likely to see in the cinema this summer – a winning formula Abrams is sure to replicate time and again in future years, much like Spielberg before him.
Karl S.
Aug 2, 2011 at 4:14 am
Super 8 / Rated PG-13 for monster violence, scary stuff and one very, very
bad word.
During production, this picture was heralded as a heavy weight. Written and
Directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Lost,
Cloverfield) and produced by Steven Spielberg (E.T., Close Encounters of the
3rd Kind, Indiana Jones etc.). It was made in West Virginia. It was all hush hush. Absolutely no one
could give away the ending or they would be forced to look at all of the Anthony
Weiner pictures on the internet. A new one pops into my cell phone email at a
rate of every 10 minutes.
Now that it is in general release, the chains are off. Kind of like Anthony
W’s. attire. We are free to talk. While loud and
effective it offers nothing new to the world of movie making. Said to be a
homage to Spielberg it certainly contains ideas and themes from all of his Sci
Fi films. Besides CE3K, ET, and Jurassic Park it also is a copy of
all of the Joe Dante films like Gremlins, Small Soldiers and Explorers.
The main characters are a group of middle school teeners who, like a young
Steven Spielberg, are budding film makers. We have seen these kids personas
before in films like Goonies and any and all of the above films featuring
storylines about young teens.
It is the summer of ‘79 and the youngsters are using actual events and real
occurrences, like a train going by, to stage the backdrops for their ultra low,
budget, zombie killing films. As might be expected they get caught up in the
middle of a big event. Lots of mysterious things start occurring in small town
Ohio. Then there are some scares. There is a mystery.
More scares. All leading up to the big hush-hush ending. I’m not sure why all
the secrecy had to take place. About 15 or 20 minutes into Super 8 you
will easily figure out where the story is heading. Especially since you have
seen this ending before in many Spielberg films. Anyone who is surprised at this
finale would probably be startled to find a piece of paper inside a fortune
cookie.
While competent and entertaining this is lightweight fun. Fun we have had
before. Several times.
The best scenes in Super 8 all come over the end credits when we get
to see the movie the kids were making.
Rated 2.7 out of 4.0 reasons not to give anything away. They do that
themselves in less than 15 minutes.
Karl S.
Aug 2, 2011 at 4:14 am
Super 8 / Rated PG-13 for monster violence, scary stuff and one very, very
bad word.
During production, this picture was heralded as a heavy weight. Written and
Directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Lost,
Cloverfield) and produced by Steven Spielberg (E.T., Close Encounters of the
3rd Kind, Indiana Jones etc.). It was made in West Virginia. It was all hush hush. Absolutely no one
could give away the ending or they would be forced to look at all of the Anthony
Weiner pictures on the internet. A new one pops into my cell phone email at a
rate of every 10 minutes.
Now that it is in general release, the chains are off. Kind of like Anthony
W’s. attire. We are free to talk. While loud and
effective it offers nothing new to the world of movie making. Said to be a
homage to Spielberg it certainly contains ideas and themes from all of his Sci
Fi films. Besides CE3K, ET, and Jurassic Park it also is a copy of
all of the Joe Dante films like Gremlins, Small Soldiers and Explorers.
The main characters are a group of middle school teeners who, like a young
Steven Spielberg, are budding film makers. We have seen these kids personas
before in films like Goonies and any and all of the above films featuring
storylines about young teens.
It is the summer of ‘79 and the youngsters are using actual events and real
occurrences, like a train going by, to stage the backdrops for their ultra low,
budget, zombie killing films. As might be expected they get caught up in the
middle of a big event. Lots of mysterious things start occurring in small town
Ohio. Then there are some scares. There is a mystery.
More scares. All leading up to the big hush-hush ending. I’m not sure why all
the secrecy had to take place. About 15 or 20 minutes into Super 8 you
will easily figure out where the story is heading. Especially since you have
seen this ending before in many Spielberg films. Anyone who is surprised at this
finale would probably be startled to find a piece of paper inside a fortune
cookie.
While competent and entertaining this is lightweight fun. Fun we have had
before. Several times.
The best scenes in Super 8 all come over the end credits when we get
to see the movie the kids were making.
Rated 2.7 out of 4.0 reasons not to give anything away. They do that
themselves in less than 15 minutes.
Karl S.
Aug 2, 2011 at 4:14 am
Super 8 / Rated PG-13 for monster violence, scary stuff and one very, very
bad word.
During production, this picture was heralded as a heavy weight. Written and
Directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Lost,
Cloverfield) and produced by Steven Spielberg (E.T., Close Encounters of the
3rd Kind, Indiana Jones etc.). It was made in West Virginia. It was all hush hush. Absolutely no one
could give away the ending or they would be forced to look at all of the Anthony
Weiner pictures on the internet. A new one pops into my cell phone email at a
rate of every 10 minutes.
Now that it is in general release, the chains are off. Kind of like Anthony
W’s. attire. We are free to talk. While loud and
effective it offers nothing new to the world of movie making. Said to be a
homage to Spielberg it certainly contains ideas and themes from all of his Sci
Fi films. Besides CE3K, ET, and Jurassic Park it also is a copy of
all of the Joe Dante films like Gremlins, Small Soldiers and Explorers.
The main characters are a group of middle school teeners who, like a young
Steven Spielberg, are budding film makers. We have seen these kids personas
before in films like Goonies and any and all of the above films featuring
storylines about young teens.
It is the summer of ‘79 and the youngsters are using actual events and real
occurrences, like a train going by, to stage the backdrops for their ultra low,
budget, zombie killing films. As might be expected they get caught up in the
middle of a big event. Lots of mysterious things start occurring in small town
Ohio. Then there are some scares. There is a mystery.
More scares. All leading up to the big hush-hush ending. I’m not sure why all
the secrecy had to take place. About 15 or 20 minutes into Super 8 you
will easily figure out where the story is heading. Especially since you have
seen this ending before in many Spielberg films. Anyone who is surprised at this
finale would probably be startled to find a piece of paper inside a fortune
cookie.
While competent and entertaining this is lightweight fun. Fun we have had
before. Several times.
The best scenes in Super 8 all come over the end credits when we get
to see the movie the kids were making.
Rated 2.7 out of 4.0 reasons not to give anything away. They do that
themselves in less than 15 minutes.
Karl S.
Aug 2, 2011 at 4:14 am
Super 8 / Rated PG-13 for monster violence, scary stuff and one very, very
bad word.
During production, this picture was heralded as a heavy weight. Written and
Directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Lost,
Cloverfield) and produced by Steven Spielberg (E.T., Close Encounters of the
3rd Kind, Indiana Jones etc.). It was made in West Virginia. It was all hush hush. Absolutely no one
could give away the ending or they would be forced to look at all of the Anthony
Weiner pictures on the internet. A new one pops into my cell phone email at a
rate of every 10 minutes.
Now that it is in general release, the chains are off. Kind of like Anthony
W’s. attire. We are free to talk. While loud and
effective it offers nothing new to the world of movie making. Said to be a
homage to Spielberg it certainly contains ideas and themes from all of his Sci
Fi films. Besides CE3K, ET, and Jurassic Park it also is a copy of
all of the Joe Dante films like Gremlins, Small Soldiers and Explorers.
The main characters are a group of middle school teeners who, like a young
Steven Spielberg, are budding film makers. We have seen these kids personas
before in films like Goonies and any and all of the above films featuring
storylines about young teens.
It is the summer of ‘79 and the youngsters are using actual events and real
occurrences, like a train going by, to stage the backdrops for their ultra low,
budget, zombie killing films. As might be expected they get caught up in the
middle of a big event. Lots of mysterious things start occurring in small town
Ohio. Then there are some scares. There is a mystery.
More scares. All leading up to the big hush-hush ending. I’m not sure why all
the secrecy had to take place. About 15 or 20 minutes into Super 8 you
will easily figure out where the story is heading. Especially since you have
seen this ending before in many Spielberg films. Anyone who is surprised at this
finale would probably be startled to find a piece of paper inside a fortune
cookie.
While competent and entertaining this is lightweight fun. Fun we have had
before. Several times.
The best scenes in Super 8 all come over the end credits when we get
to see the movie the kids were making.
Rated 2.7 out of 4.0 reasons not to give anything away. They do that
themselves in less than 15 minutes.
Karl S.
Aug 2, 2011 at 5:14 am
Super 8 / Rated PG-13 for monster violence, scary stuff and one very, very
bad word.
During production, this picture was heralded as a heavy weight. Written and
Directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Lost,
Cloverfield) and produced by Steven Spielberg (E.T., Close Encounters of the
3rd Kind, Indiana Jones etc.). It was made in West Virginia. It was all hush hush. Absolutely no one
could give away the ending or they would be forced to look at all of the Anthony
Weiner pictures on the internet. A new one pops into my cell phone email at a
rate of every 10 minutes.
Now that it is in general release, the chains are off. Kind of like Anthony
W’s. attire. We are free to talk. While loud and
effective it offers nothing new to the world of movie making. Said to be a
homage to Spielberg it certainly contains ideas and themes from all of his Sci
Fi films. Besides CE3K, ET, and Jurassic Park it also is a copy of
all of the Joe Dante films like Gremlins, Small Soldiers and Explorers.
The main characters are a group of middle school teeners who, like a young
Steven Spielberg, are budding film makers. We have seen these kids personas
before in films like Goonies and any and all of the above films featuring
storylines about young teens.
It is the summer of ‘79 and the youngsters are using actual events and real
occurrences, like a train going by, to stage the backdrops for their ultra low,
budget, zombie killing films. As might be expected they get caught up in the
middle of a big event. Lots of mysterious things start occurring in small town
Ohio. Then there are some scares. There is a mystery.
More scares. All leading up to the big hush-hush ending. I’m not sure why all
the secrecy had to take place. About 15 or 20 minutes into Super 8 you
will easily figure out where the story is heading. Especially since you have
seen this ending before in many Spielberg films. Anyone who is surprised at this
finale would probably be startled to find a piece of paper inside a fortune
cookie.
While competent and entertaining this is lightweight fun. Fun we have had
before. Several times.
The best scenes in Super 8 all come over the end credits when we get
to see the movie the kids were making.
Rated 2.7 out of 4.0 reasons not to give anything away. They do that
themselves in less than 15 minutes.