Super 8

Rarely does a film come along that so perfectly encapsulates the nostalgia of an era.  The elements that make up the period's whole are usually fairly easy to reproduce - such as the fashion, pop culture, and political events of the time - but the essence is much more elusive.  In "Super 8", writer/director J.J. Abrams attempts to do this by penning a love letter to his childhood and the movies of his youth.  Set in the 70s, the story centers around a group of middle-schoolers making a horror movie to enter in a young filmmakers' competition. But one fateful night, they catch more on camera than they bargained for as a nearby train derails and unleashes its deadly cargo on the unsuspecting town of Lillian, Ohio.  Abrams' latest supernatural tale will inevitably be compared to that other sci-fi masterpiece (directed by some young up-and-comer of the time named Steven Spielberg), and in my opinion, unfairly so.  Yes, extraterrestrials and kids are involved in both, and yes, it can only be seen as a compliment to be considered even remotely in the same league as the great Spielberg.  But Abrams' creation is a classic in its own right.  It made me vividly recall the lazy days of summer spent hanging around with friends, down to the level of detail around animated conversations that seemed so important at the time.  The kids in the film are depicted so beautifully, accurately portraying the unconditional friendships that come with being young and earnest.  Newcomer Joel Courtney is a delight as sweet-faced Joe - who has recently lost his mother and is trying desperately to reconnect with his despondent father.  And a phenomenally talented Elle Fanning plays Joe's friend Alice, who is going through some tough times of her own.  Ultimately, the story is about experiencing first griefs and first loves, and just happens to be set amongst the backdrop of a lethally dangerous alien running amok a sleepy town (not to downplay the scary creature-on-the-loose artistry that went into making the film fun and damn entertaining).  "Super 8" will tug at you emotionally and fill you with a sense of wonder that only a truly gifted filmmaker can achieve, and for that J.J., I say "Bravo".


5 out of 5 stars