Film-o-Rama Review by August Meyer
Super 8 is not a movie unlike any we have ever seen. Rather, it a confection of multiple films, blended into one completely enjoyable mixture that perfectly suits our current movie season.
Through his prowess at the director's chair, J.J. Abrams brings forth a wonderful monster movie, with the heart of films of an era almost forgotten. With blatant notions of movies such as Stand By Me, E.T., and Cloverfield, an odd mix by anyone's standards, Super 8 accomplishes what it sets out to do...be a great, albeit slightly predictable film.
Abrams' attention to detail is almost uncanny...almost. The setting is beautifully quaint. Taking place in a 1970's suburb in Chicago, Super 8 follows the escapades of a group of children faced with a mystery none of them could ever begin to imagine alone, but some minor plot points feel a little underdeveloped. I will not go into detail here, being as it will give away certain parts of the movie, take my word for it that some things just don't seem to add up. As you may have seen in the trailers that have as of late been violently shoved down our throats through almost every media outlet, a train crashes and consequently explodes while "the gang" is filming a cheesy zombie flick in the middle of the night. What follows is a series of events that mostly involves this group of children riding around on their bicycles observing and quietly discussing the aftermath of this "accident". This entails a disgruntled and shady Air Force lieutenant arriving with a battalion of discreet soldiers, strange disappearances throughout their small town, and an unlikely, and undeniably adorable friendship that takes shape between the childhood innocence-ridden protagonist, Joe, and the local girl who everyone seems to have a crush on, Alice.
As the plot unfolds, we are drawn into a totally engaging storyline, but once the film reaches it's one hour mark, things start to fall apart...script AND story-wise. We completely expect what happens throughout the remainder of the film, although the inclusion of sleek and chaotic (in all the right ways) special effects is nice. No main character loses his or her life, and obviously *SPOILER ALERT*, the thing plaguing the town is a giant, albeit intelligent and kindhearted, Cloverfield look-a-like monster.
Super 8 is absolutely enjoyable and is a terrific popcorn flick, just don't expect anything amazing. J.J. Abrams and his pal Steven Spielberg bring a monster movie to theaters with a heart of gold; a welcome requiem from atrocious films such as "Something Borrowed" and "Fast Five". Do yourself a favor and watch it. Do yourself another by staying until after the credits.
