Review of Super 8 (1988) by Seth S — 11 May 2013

More of a Solid 8 than a Super 8, enjoying Super 8 so much came as a surprise to me. I knew very little of what it was about before watching it. I knew there were a bunch of kids making a movie, and there was a monster, and it was in the same vein as the Spielberg children adventures. Expectations weren't particularly high, but I was rewarded with a fantastic movie experience. A throwback to a time when summer blockbusters weren't left open-ended for a cash-grab sequel, a time before my time. Instead of constant CGI explosions and shallow characters with no development, Super 8 gives us suspense, thrills, scares, action, and well rounded characters.

J.J. Abrams is seriously one of the most talented young directors working today. And producing the movie is the unrivaled Steven Spielberg. It's no surprise that Spielberg mentored Abrams on this movie. It's just like something Spielberg would be involved in back in the 70's and 80's. It seems that Abrams channels The Goonies into his cast of young characters. It's remarkable how Abrams is able to not only capture the style and time of those 70's movies, but also craft something that doesn't seem like a parody. The devotion to the emotional side of the story is to thank for that.

Joe, Alice, Preston, Martin, and Cary are helping Charles film his amateur zombie movie. They sneak out at night to film at an abandoned gas station next to the railroad tracks. While filming, a train blasts down the tracks. Charles enthusiastically keeps the camera rolling, only to see a pickup truck speeding on the tracks straight toward the train. The train and truck collide, sending the kids shoot into chaos. Everything about the train accident is suspicious. Joe and Alice take a particular interest in each other, and the mysterious wreck. But Joe's dad Jack and Alice's dad Louis completely disapprove of the relationship. Louis is a scumbag who was dunk the day Joe's mother died. If Louis wasn't drunk, he would have been doing Joe's mother's job, he would have died, and Joe's mother would still be alive. With the animosity between the fathers in place, the movie forges ahead. The train accident is just as mysterious as Joe and Alice feared, and even worse.

When making something like this, there is a lot of trust the director must place in his actors. And if the young cast bombs, so will your movie. Luckily, the cast here is outstanding. Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning seriously give two of the best performance I've ever seen from teens their age. Kids in movies always manage to be obnoxious in some way. Not the young cast in this. Courtney is likable and believable as Joe. He has to carry the majority of the emotional load towards the end of the movie, and he handles it perfectly. As does Elle Fanning playing Alice. There is a scene between Joe and Alice when they watch a video of Joe's deceased mother. Fanning is so good in this scene, very similar to her sister Dakota (who doubtlessly would have played the part if the movie was made 5 years ago). The parallels between Dakota's performance in War of the Worlds and Elle's performance here are evident.

The supporting cast is solid. Kyle Chandler is especially good as Joe's dad Jack. The scenes near the end of the movie with him are very well done. The character does follow a familiar father figure arc, but it doesn't come off as obviously as these sorts of things usually do. The other teen actors in the movie do a good job, and Ryan Lee stands out as Cary. In the classic "Goonies" fashion, all the kids talk and swear over each other at the same time. It's time like this when the Spielberg influence is felt most.

My only issue with this movie is sort of a big one. The "big reveal" at the end isn't as good as it should be. Abrams creates a whole lot of intrigue along the way, but when you finally find out what all the mystery is about, it's a disappointment.

I also have to mention Michael Giacchino haunting, beautiful, and touching score. Giacchino has been writing music for J.J. Abrams productions for over 10 years. A long-term relationship between a director and composer always produces better results (Spielberg and John Williams, Tim Burton and Danny Elfman, and Christopher Nolan and Hans Zimmer). The collaboration between Abrams and Giacchino had already produced the excellent music for Star Trek (2009), Lost, and Mission Impossible 3&4. Super 8 continues the first-rate music. His mysterious theme for the monster is perfectly atmospheric. But what steals the show is his gorgeous, glorious main theme, heard in its full glory during the final scene. It flawlessly highlights the emotional climax of the movie, with Jack and Louis letting go of hatred, the monster letting go of the past, and Joe metaphorically letting go of his mother.

The reveal near the end of the movie really holds it back from a higher rating. Still, I had loads of fun with this movie. Sure Spielberg's touch is more than a little evident here, but when was that ever a bad thing? Minus that one plot point, this movie is awesome, from the acting, to the atmosphere, and nearly everything else.

"I know bad things happen. Bad things happen. But you can still live." 8/10.