Film Review: J.J. Abrams’ SUPER 8

J.J. Abrams likes to create a lot of buzz for his movies. His latest one is Super 8, a story about a group of kids who discover something out-of-this-world. Much of the buzz stems from the fact that very few details are known about it. Especially in a time when the entire plot is given away in movie trailers, Super 8 stands out. Another reason it stands out is because Steven Spielberg produced it. It almost gives the audience a guarantee that it will be good; even though everything is so “hush, hush” about it.

I have mad respect for the movie-going experience, so don’t worry NO SPOILERS of any kind will be in this reveal. Mainly my thoughts on why I felt Super 8 was entertaining but slightly disappointing at the same time.

The story is set in the late 1970s and centers on Joe (Joel Courtney) and his group of friends. Joe is helping out his best friend, Charles (Riley Griffiths), who is making a short film for a competition. With the help of a few others and a super 8 camera, they start to film a scene at a train platform. An incoming train crashes and it overturns, and the kids are first –hand witnesses to this disaster. They find out that something was hidden in one of the train cars. The train crash is then followed by odd occurrences and people going missing.

Super 8 is full of suspense. First, there’s all this build-up in its marketing and once you start watching the film, the suspense adds to the anticipation of what this secret monster could be. By the time, the monster is revealed I was expecting something spectacular or at least an amazing ending. Super 8 failed to do that for me. After all this build-up, I was just expecting…more. I can’t explain what “more” would be, but it’s not the ending that it provided. In a way, it’s the ending you expect from a Steven Spielberg produced film.

But don’t let the slightly lackluster ending dissuade you from seeing it, Super 8 is a very entertaining movie. The main reason for that are the kids. I just love those kids so much. It sort of reminded me of The Goonies. If you love that movie, you are sure to enjoy this one. The kids are full of charm. Newcomer Joel Courtney is sweet, funny and sincere. He leads the group of them well. We see a feisty side of Elle Fanning in this film, and if you weren’t a fan of her before, after seeing this, you can’t wait to see what films she’ll do next. There is just something extra striking that Elle has over her sister, Dakota. The other kids, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee, Gabriel Basso, and Zach Mills were also great, and their chemistry was palpable.

The ending isn’t as bad as I make it sound. I really had a fun time watching Super 8. The suspense was so well-played out; I actually screamed and jumped out of my seat several times. The kids are so charming; they’re the true heart of the film. I definitely recommend seeing it this weekend. It may not be my favorite movie of this summer’s blockbuster season (That goes to X-Men: First Class), but it’s definitely one of the better ones.

Super 8 will release into theaters tomorrow, Friday June 10^th.

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