Super 8 Review

Super 8 is about a group of young kids on summer vacation trying to make a zombie movie. One night during their filming, a train accident occurs and the kids are thrown into a series of increasingly dangerous situations and are placed in the middle of a grand conspiracy involving the Air Force and some “precious cargo” aboard the train the Air Force seems to have misplaced. Promotion for this movie has been vague with as little information being given as possible, and that is a great advantage, not knowing what to expect heightens the sense of fear, wonder and excitement. Needless to say something dangerous escaped from the train and it's running rampant through the small town stealing car engines, sending dogs running and causing a great deal of paranoia for the citizens of this small town and at the center of it all are the young aspiring film makers.

Joe is the titular character who lends his makeup skills to the zombie film, he has also recently lost his mother causing a large rift between him and his father, the towns Deputy. His friends include Charles the self imposed leader of the group and director of the film they are making. Also in the group is Cary the aspiring pyrotechnic with an unwavering love for explosives; he serves as their films zombie as well as special effects maker. The two actors in this little zombie project are Preston and Martin as well as late addition to the cast, Alice. Joe quickly shows interest in Alice and their relationship evolves over the course of the film and their truly believable feelings towards each other lends credence to their actions as things get more and more intense as the creature sends the entire town into a panicked frenzy. These kids are the heart of this movie, no number of explosions and amazing special effects takes away from their strong performances and the sturdy structure they provide to the rest of the outlandish science fiction plot. This is the first movie in what seems like a decade that treats the adolescent characters with respect and shows that kids are competent and can handle any mature situation as well as or better than most adults. It’s rare in a huge summer movie like this to put such a focus on these young kids and their lives but it’s what gives Super 8 life outside of a crazy monster on the loose.

While the special effects are prevalent throughout they are never used as a crutch and are only ever used to service the story. The amazing chaotic action sequences are truly freighting and jaw dropping because we care about the character at the center of it all and want them to make it through this alive. The most memorable effects moment happens early on when a train is derailed and begins causing so much damage and destruction you start to wonder if the movie hasn't already derailed itself, but the immensely likeable kids make you fear for their safety. They continually ground the movie in plausibility whenever things start to get to over the top. At the center of this group of characters is Joe and his relationship with his father. This father son relationship is so painful to watch not because the father is mean or abusive but because these are two people who have lost someone they love and now realize they know nothing about each other and don’t know how to overcome the pain. Watching Joe’s father continually push his son away is heartbreaking and their relationship is a strong and moving part of the story.

Spielberg must be flattered because Super 8 is a strong homage to the great director and all of his most famous and beloved films. Throughout the movie there is a certain tine, moments or specific camera shots that share such a strong similarity to Spielberg’s movies of old that you almost wonder if JJ Abrams didn’t just let him direct. But then the lens flare kicks in, and you quickly remember whose movie this is. JJ Abrams need to seriously cut back on the lens flare, there were scenes where I literally couldn’t see the characters faces because the screen was filled with glare and the scene was supposed to be taking place in the dark. It is distracting and adds nothing to the movie; it made me furious whenever it appeared onscreen CUT IT OUT. But with JJ Abrams obsession with lens flare comes a man who has undoubtedly been inspired by the classic “young kids on an adventure” movies of his youth. Super 8 is as homage to the greats, E.T., The Goonies, Jurassic Park. Once the town falls into chaos and confusion there are also strong similarities to the great paranoia films like Close Encounter and War of the Worlds; both also directed by Spielberg. Unfortunately it is all quite jarring, with so many points of inspiration you can almost pick out when JJ Abrams is displaying his love and though it never reaches a point of unimaginative it is noticeable and takes you out of the otherwise engaging plot. It's great to see a movie recreate the fun and imaginative feeling that the old Spielberg movies always had in droves. Capturing that magic must be tough and though there are hints of a true modern day classic, it doesn't always work.

Super 8 is a movie unlike anything being made these days, it’s a character driven effects powerhouse that shows its young characters as competent and intelligent human beings, so rare for kids in movies these days. And it balances a heartwarming tale of family and friendship with a strong and sometimes frightening monster movie plot. It’s sometimes odd how quickly the film chooses to jump from truly horrifying moments to moment of great laughter but it helps keep the movie fun and fast paced. At times it seems like JJ Abrams is trying too hard to impress his mentor Spielberg, but Super 8 is a fun throwback to the great summer movies of yore, which will please anyone who is tired of Superheroes or crappy comedies.

(4 out of 5)