Super 8, the movie shrouded in mystery upon its release, had a lot to live up to. Coming from some of the biggest names in movie making, J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg, Super 8 is a fantastic picture that shouldn't be missed, and hits all the right notes for a perfect action thriller.
Super 8 has one of the best plots I've seen in a long time. The movie's plot was kept secret for a very long period of time, and going into the theater, I was under the impression that I was seeing a movie about a train crash and a bunch of kids. That was true, however, there is much much more to the movie than just that. The movie begins with a group of friends on summer break who enjoy making old-school '70s Super 8 films for film festivals. When they go to film a scene near a train track, they witness an intense, explosive train crash. After that event, mysterious things happen in their small town. People disappearing, dogs running away, and the whole town is hallucinating as a result. I won't spoil anything, but the movie is very, very intense, and after the accident, things really heat up. The whole movie screams action, and right from the train accident, you know you're in for one wild ride. The movie is also very emotional, as the main character has just lost his mother in a work accident. There are some heartfelt scenes between him and his dad, as well as between him and his (girl) friend. There's an interesting backstory about his mother, and we get to learn more through his new friend and her father. The ending of Super 8 is phenomenal, and very, very emotional.
What I appreciate about Super 8's plot is that it was kept under wraps until its release, which was good. A lot of times, movies give away the whole plot from a 2 minutes trailer, and when I saw Super 8's tv spot, I just had to learn more. The movie is just downright interesting, and right from the beginning you're thrown into the investigation, and want to know what is happening around town. The entire movie has an old-school vibe, and is a loveletter to any fans of the late '70s, and fans of Super 8 cameras. Abrams does a great job of making the movie feel different, and you really get a sense of what life was like back then.
Another thing Super 8 nailed was the acting. The Super 8 kids are amazing young actors, and really shine in their own unique roles with unique personalities. The kids really bring the movie to life, and as they investigate, you really get to know them. Of course, the kids also provide some great comic relief, as they fight and curse at each other. Newbie Joel Courtney does a great job as the title character Joe, as does his friend, Charles, played by Riley Griffiths. The kids' new friend, Alice Dainard, is played by star Elle Fanning, who is the breakout role as the timid young girl who grows very close to Joe. Joe's dad, the town's police deputy, played by Kyle Chandler, shines as well. After the loss of his wife, he plays a quiet, timid character who wants the best for his son.
Super 8 features many, many explosions, and as the town rages war against the extraterrestrial beings, your eyes will take a beating. The special effects are great, and once we finally meet the creatures behind the strange occurrences, you'll have seen some very cool stuff. The soundtrack to Super 8 is good, too, and although I don't banter on movie soundtracks too often, this one's too good to not be noticed, especially towards the end. Another thing I enjoyed about the movie was the message. The kids don't always fit in, and as we solve the mysteries, the message of "Bad things happen, but we can still live", really becomes evident, making for a moral and emotional journey.
Super 8 is easily one of the greatest movies that I've seen in a long time, and I can't think of anything to give it except a perfect score. Everything, from the plot and acting, to the special effects and soundtrack, are perfect, and Super 8 should not be missed by anyone. It's a shame, then, the lack of publicity the movie is getting, and how well it did this weekend at the box office. Then again, numbers aren't everything.
Overall: 5.0/5.0
