Review of Super 8 (2011) by Trevor R — 05 Apr 2014

"Super 8" is actually two films-- a really, really great love story, and a pretty dumb monster movie that makes no sense. The acting from all of the kids is flat-out incredible, particularly Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning, but their wonderful relationship and character arcs have absolutely nothing to do with all of the science-fiction mumbo jumbo. The crowning moment of the story--the most Spielbergian image of the film-- comes as Joe releases his mother's locket into the air as the spaceship leaves. It's shot beautifully. The locket is clearly a symbol of Joe finally "letting go" of his mother, his scary adventure with this alien ultimately granting emotional catharsis for his troubled past.

But wait-- what does that have to do with anything? That wasn't what the movie was about at all. Joe was a reasonably well-adjusted kid that had been dealing with the death of his mother as well as any 14 year old could. Meanwhile, it's Joe's dad that needed to move past his bitterness and restore his relationship with his son, but the normally brilliant Kyle Chandler is totally wasted; sidelined to run around in the final half of the film, having literally no effect on anything. And wasn't that alien eating people? Why is Alice suddenly the damsel-in-distress? What's up with her dad? There is no clear sense of what the movie is actually about; it's nothing but square pegs in round holes.

The best part is finally getting to see the kids' short film during the end credits.