Super Super 8

I'm the Goonies/ET generation so Super 8 is right up my street being a bit of a cross between the two.

The story is set in 1979 small town Ohio and centres on a group of kids who are trying to make their own zombie movie. While filming late one night they witness a train crash after which strange things start happening. Using the train wreck and the clear up by the military as a backdrop they try to finish their film and investigate what is going on.

So that's the action, thrill stuff. The train crash is quite spectacular and there are some real jump out of your skin moments later on.

But then there is a sub plot which adds the heart to the film. Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) has recently lost his mother and has a strained relationship with his father. He falls for Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning) who's been roped in to play the heroine of the kids' film. Alice's father has a drink problem and there is no love lost between him and Joe's father for reason's that only gradually become clear.

It gives the film balance and pace. There is plenty of tension, thrills and spills and huge cinematic moments but you also care about the characters; there are some wonderfully charming bits and some that tug on the heart strings too. What helps of course is that the child actors can actually act with some great performances particularly from the two leads.

I think Super 8 has the makings of a classic kids movie, as timeless as ET and The Goonies. I'll be adding it to the DVD collection. It's getting 89% from me and has 76% on IMDb and on Rotten Tomatoes it has a critics rating of 82% and a visitor rating of 79%.

 

Comments

[Rev Stan]

You are the only person who reads my blog Simon thanks for the comment.
All fair points. I'd never want a film to be just like another but there was a feel to Super 8 that reminded me of ET and Goonies.
I haven't seen Attack the Block so I'll have to take your word for it (please do rave publicly - always good to have a recommendation).
Funny how you were bothered by the use of lens flare because I didn't notice it particularly.
Off to see the chimps today - if James Franco wasn't in it I wouldn't bother but he tends to make good film choices. Hope he doesn't let me down.

[Simon Pudsey]

No comments? Here let me start the ball rolling. Just back from viewing this movie. I was immediately drawn to compare it with "Cloverfield" which I happen to believe to be the worst ever monster movie of all time. This was thankfully dispelled by the simply wonderful young cast who kept you interested in the story right the way through.
Lets be clear as well: There is a very good story and the film-making relies on real acting.I felt this to be a wonderful allusion to the "film" which was being made within the story being told (Charles being obsessed with the "depth" to his film).
However I do have a "but" or two. I couldnt help myself in drawing parallels to Joe Cornish's "Attack the Block", which I raved about some months back (not publicly). That film felt more fresh,vibrant and "real" than Super 8.
My other "but" is the Goonies/ET thing which more than one reviewer has mentioned. I disagree.
ET had way more pathos,a creature you could "love" and a better allegorical thread. I will not dispute that there is an allegorical tale being woven in Super8, but I would refer you back to "Attack the Block" for a stronger redemptive storyline that doesnt descend into a rather mawkish cliche.
The Goonies? Well I'll grant some similarities but Super 8 lacked the innocent wit of that film.
One other thing... "lens flare" :/ somewhat overused in this case.
All told a well made film with a good story but not a classic for me.