Super 8

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Super 8.

Written & Directed by J.J. Abrams.

Review #124

MPAA Rating: PG- 13 For intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and some nudity

Runtime: 112 min

Cast

Joel Courtney - Joe Lamb

Elle Fanning - Alice Dainard

Ryan Lee - Cary

Zach Mills - Preston

Riley Griffiths - Charles

Gabriel Basso - Martin

Kyle Chandler - Jackson Lamb

Ron Eldard - Louis Dainard

Amanda Michalka - Jen Kaznyk

Glynn Turman - Dr. Woodward

Noah Emmerich - Nelec

Richard T. Jones - Overmyer

Brett Rice - Sheriff Pruitt

J.J. Abrams has become the latest and hottest commodity in Hollywood. His revival of the Mission Impossible franchise and his highly entertaining turn at the Star Trek universe began his ascension to the top of geek lists all over the country. Now comes Super 8. A film first brought to us via trademark Abrams mystery in the form of a very vague yet interesting teaser trailer. Since then the viral campaigns begun and the buzz took off.

I knew instantly that I was going to see this movie despite all the bells and whistles employed to drum up interest. Early reviews marveled at the film's storytelling and visuals. I made the mistake of reading some of these positive reviews because after seeing it I felt the exact opposite about this movie. I thought it was the most overrated film I have seen in a really long time. I was prepared to bash this film into oblivion. Until I took a step back and thought this through. In the end I decided to see it again and now I finally figured out what my problem was.

It wasn't the movie....It was me.

Plot


In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth - something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined. 

The plot written in this review doesn't even scratch the surface to how deep this movie actually is. This was what was bothering me after the 1st viewing. I went in expecting to see a "monster" movie surrounded by a bunch of kids making their own monster movie. That was definitely a big part of Super 8 but it wasn't the biggest. A major story theme here deals with Joe and the loss of his mother. How he struggles to maintain while grieving and being forced to have a real relationship with his father who clearly hasn't been "around" most of his life.

This storyline ladies and gentlemen hit me like a ton of bricks. The real monster in Super 8 wasn't the "thing" that escaped from the train car. It was the gigantic void between Joe and Jackson left behind by the mom/wife. There was a major disconnect between the 2 characters. Jackson doesn't understand why Joe loves to do makeup for his friend Charlie's movie. Joe doesn't understand why Jackson can't just accept that Joe has an interest that doesn't mesh with his.

The situation gets more complicated once Alice joins the fold. And that folks is what makes Super 8 so great. It's the characters. If there's one aspect of film making that Abrams has mastered it's character development. He knows how to get you to care about the characters he creates. He also knows how to get as much out of them so that you can't take your eyes off them when something else is going on. Great performances don't hurt either and Super 8 is full of them. Leading off with Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning. Riley Griffiths makes a very strong case as the show stealer as well.

Another Abrams specialty is nostalgia. Super 8 has been labeled by some as The Goonies meet E.T. That's actually a pretty good comparison with just 1 tiny exception. Super 8 establishes itself as it's own movie. There is just a hint that it homages the old school adventure/monster flicks of the 70's and 80's. The feeling quickly dissipates early on. The mystery surrounding what got out of the train car becomes very intriguing. It becomes even more magnified when the towns people start disappearing. Abrams teases you with tiny flashes of the creature. It's such a great tactic because it drives you to the point of insanity that you don't know what it looks like. In many respects it's similar to how Spielberg unintentionally hid the shark in Jaws. The threat of the monster is much much scarier than the actual BOO! moment. Abrams expertly used tone and patience when ratcheting up the tension.

As always with an Abrams production. Super 8 doesn't skimp on the style. He employs a ton of lens flares throughout the film that may be distracting at first but end up becoming part of the film and a nice cinematic touch. The rest of the special effects are superb. highlighted by the train crash. The destruction seemed to go on forever and the sound was just deafening.

All told. Super 8 is a terrific film that deserves your attention. It blends so mnay different emotions and tells so many stories that it's impossible to take them all in at once. Repeat viewing is necessary and in this case not a bad idea.

On the 5 star scale. Super 8 gets the full house. 5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.

J.J. Abrams has once again given us another great cinematic experience. It's a shame he didn't take as much care with Lost as he has with his films.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Green Lantern. Can DC step into the ring and effectively challenge Marvel for the summer's best comic book film? I'm already saying HELL NO! But it's going to be fun finding out.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"