Review of Super 8 (1988) by Shawn D — 22 Jan 2019

Typically I am on the fence about JJ Abrams films. He's a hit or miss director/producer/writer. Lost/Star Trek/Star Wars are all still debated while films like Regarding Henry, and Mission Impossible III are examples of his best form.

There are so many films of his that have so much potential and end up wasted because of his mystery box theories (Lost and Force Awakens are two such examples). He has such a Steven Spielberg vibe about him but usually it is squandered by mainstream goals.

Sometimes his copy cat nature of his beloved director shoots him in the foot. Not so with Super 8. His emulation of Spielberg and his filming style only enhances the quality of Super 8. It is a celebration of a genre and film style that is long gone to the new generation which mostly gets it's thrills with explosions and explanatory dialogue to make clear the obvious.

Super 8 proposes a very simple concept: E.T. meets the Goonies. It explores the concept with great actors with poised style and direction. For me there is little not to love about this film. It is a triumph for JJ.

There are many films people would suggest to watch by JJ. like Armageddon for action, or Star Trek for a fresh take on an old franchise or Mission Impossible III for revitalizing a franchise. Yet for me Super 8 is the only clear pick.

It is the best of JJ not only because you can tell it is personal to him, but because he does not hide his natural reverence and desire to live up to Steven Spielberg. It truly is a great film and if JJ tapped into this nature more often he would be making more consistent quality films instead of duds like Star Trek: Into Darkness, Cloverfield, and The Force is still waiting to Awake.