Review of Super 8 (2011) by Cheyne L — 24 May 2013

[spoiler alert] what with all the alien science fiction flicks coming out lately, i'm just waiting for someone to come up with some truly unique human and extraterrestrial interaction. while "super 8" is an entertaining film, no doubt, the alien featured here might as well have been the same one from 'starship troopers' or 'cowboys and aliens'.

the ending is overly sentimental but just might have worked if the film's violence hadn't been so brutal and graphic right up until then. for a film aimed at a younger audience, the intensity of some sequences, including a steadily climbing death toll, I found the innocence of things quickly dwindling away.

this film tries to be edgy, and it shows, but Abrams was never one to be lacking in style. nevertheless, it's basically recycled ideas and themes from the hey-day of children caper films. with a producer credit to Spielberg, 'super 8's reminiscence of his older films is uncanny.

I feel that Abrams had a great opportunity here to recreate the child caper genre but instead resorted to tried and true methods instead. so, mission accomplished, he created a film he knew would work, and it does, but from such a talented filmmaker like Abrams I know he could take some chances and get away with them.

much like Abrams 'star trek', 'super 8' is glossy and gorgeous with amazing action choreography and commendable direction, but 'super 8' reminds us of other films more than leave a strong, new lasting impression.

the technical dazzle here overwhelms any chance of the deeper heart here coming through in full force.