Fun for everyone!
Super 8 (2011)
Directed By: J.J. Abrams (Star Trek)
The Prologue
A film that is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by the legend himself, Steven Spielberg, is the types of stuff some film lovers’ dreams are made of. J.J. Abrams, has been behind some of the most popular modern day T.V. shows as well as directing the new Star Trek. Steven Spielberg, is a man who’s rep is soo well known it needs not be said. But still, you can’t help but mention such classics as, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Jaws (to just name a few). So when they team up for an alien film that takes place in 1979 it’s safe to assume expectations are very high. So could the film this combo has spawned, Super 8, be the big hit of the Summer? Even more than that, will it go on to being a favorite for many for the years to come, much like some of their own projects of the past? Only time can tell if that’s to be the case for sure. But I will admit, it’s off to a pretty good start.
The Movie
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. Almost in the same vein as E.T. or The Goonies, I find that Super 8 is a film that makes you feel like a kid again, even if you’re well above the age limit. It also gives kids these days a film to appreciate in the same fashion as those I just mentioned.
When I was growing up there were fun, yet unique films. Films that I could watch over and over again without getting bored of. One of those films was a little movie by the name of, E.T.. More or less, it seems like these days that movie of that nature are lacking. I think overall you could say that, Super 8, is a throwback to that type of film. While not G rated by any means, Super 8, is a movie that packs enough excitement, story, and fun, for people of all ages. It gives the young folks a film that they can cherish and hold on to. And just the same, it gives us older people a movie that makes us feel like we’re kids again while watching. You know, back when we were young and didn’t try to nitpick every single detail of a movie?
At the head of this film, besides the alien of course, is a young cast that reminds me of a young cast you’d have in an 80′s movie. Each one has their own perks. Each one has their own charm to them. And in the middle of everyone we have our main little man, Joe, and his love interest, Alice. It’s a harmless little plot point that is innocent and fun when mixed with our giant alien problem and our even bigger military problem. It’s a fun ride as we watch while these kids go from trying to make their own movie on a Super 8 camera (one of the kids, Charles, is trying to make a zombie film) to watching them deal with the military invasion of their town, in the inner problems of their families, and of course..the alien. Who does KINDA favor the alien in Cloverfield, but I fail to see where that matters and why soo many folks online want to make a big deal of it.
The thing is about, Super 8, is the fact that the movie isn’t just about explosions, people getting eaten by an alien, and the alien it’s self. Sure, those things play a big part in it, but that’s not all. There’s a deeper meaning behind a lot of things in the film and it’s really heart warming. See there’s a good chunk of the story that goes around Joe, his father, and a big loss their family suffers at the start of this film. It’s this loss that is the cause for all the none alien/military drama that takes place inside the movie. It’s probably a plot point that I’d say makes up the very heart of the film and adds emotion and feeling to the already fun plot of the movie.
This movie isn’t going to be a film that baffles the brain and draws in deep thought. That’s just not the mold it’s made from. But if you are looking to just relax and allow yourself and even your family to enjoy a film, to just have fun with a film, then I think this movie here is just the thing for you. Super 8, may be getting mixed reviews now. After all it’s got big names behind it that some just want to hate for the sake of hating. But years from now, maybe even just a couple, I think this film will find it’s place once everyone lets their guard of hate down. It’s fun for it’s entire time on the screen. It’s very well made and very heart warming. It’s a film to take the family too.
The Conclusion
As you can tell, I really liked this movie a lot. This should go to show you that a movie doesn’t have to be packed with blood and nudity for me to get my enjoyment from it. Honestly, I liked this one soo much because it gave me flashbacks in some odd way to when I was young and I’d watch stuff like E.T.. Now this is a far more mature and hardcore alien than that little guy was, but this is a different time and era. Still, I say forget the haters out there that are just going to hate and take a chance with, Super 8. I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.
The Rating (8/10)
Chucks website
