Super 8

Starring: Kyle Channing, Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Noah Emmerich, Gabriel Basso, Ron Eldard, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee, Zach Mills, Jessica Tuck
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
2007

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: In 1979, a group of friends witness a trainwreck and a strange monster who escapes.

Review:

Tim: I was really, really excited for JJ Abrams' Super 8. It was a project shrouded in mystery, and appeared to be a pitch-perfect throwback to the Spielbergian awe/terror movies of the 1980s. I expected it to be fantastic. What we got instead is a very, very good movie that feels like it belongs in another time and place. Unfortunately, it also feels like a movie that never achieves its full potential. It's a movie that promises much more than it can actually deliver.

Abrams does create a very interesting story that harkens back to the innocence and sense of awe that we had when we were children. This is a film that my 13 or 14 year old self would probably have loved. Unfortunately, I'm old enough now to recognize some of the film's limitations. Still, it's pretty amazing what Abrams creates here. We have a group of friends filling a movie, an alien monster who wrecks havoc on the town, military secrets, and more. It all adds up to a pretty interesting story. It feels like this movie was made in the 80s, which is exactly what it was going for.

I love the focus on the group of kids. The casting was absolutely tremendous. I loved ach of the actors, and their performances. Joel Courtney does an especially good job in the lead role. He is a perfect everyman (everyboy?) and allows us to identify with him and care about him. I saw reflections of myself in his character, and believe that's not uncommon. Elle Fanning was also a good chocie. She is believable and enjoyable as the surprisingly down-to-earth girl next door. She was fun to watch here, and I believe she could develop into a very talented actress. Riley Griffiths was fantastic as well. He gives one of the best performances of the film. I was very, very impressed with him. Kyle Chandler gives a good performance, although it's hard to like his character. Noah Emmerich was a nice addition. The cast is pretty strong all around.

I love that Abrams creates this incredible story, and he directs it very well, building in intensity as the film goes on. It all moves towards the climax, and this is where the film stumbles. I'll try not to spoil too much, but I do need to talk about a few things. We do eventually get climactic boys vs. monster moment, and this was pretty disappointing. Abrams did so much that felt unique and fresh, but then delivers an ending that felt far too timid and weak. There's a few absurd moments. I felt like the climax just felt far too much to be desired. It was unsatisfying. I wanted more from Abrams. I wanted to be blown away, and I was not.

This whole movie felt good, but not great. Abrams has done some terrific directing work, but I feel like he's still developing. This movie could have been great, but it felt like Abrams focused too much on trying to emulate Steven Spielberg, and not enough time just creating a great movie. This movie is very much like those Spielberg movies, but not quite as good.

I know that many people did love this movie, but I simply wasn't one of them. I wanted the ending of the movie to be more memorable, more believable and more powerful. The film was good, but with the secrecy and the build up, it needed to be great. Still, I don't want to take anything away from this film- it's a very, very good movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Star Trek