Super 8 Review

Super 8, J.J Abrams-directed and Steven Spielberg-produced, is a truly great science fiction movie and a superb homage to some films of the 80s. In the plot alone, there are hints of great films like E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Goonies, and Stand by Me. But its greatness does not hinge on its ability to reference these films. As a science fiction film, it shows originality while it sticks with the cliches of a sci-fi film. It has a great story, interesting characters, and good action.

One of the best parts of this film was the characters and their actors. Like other 80s movies like Goonies and Stand by Me, it relies a lot on the young characters. What is so interesting is that even the minor characters seem to have their own personality. They have characteristics that typically drive a moviegoer crazy like a loud mouth or a weak disposition. But they were played to perfection by young actors. Moviegoers may only recognize Elle Fanning as Alice, the daughter of a petty criminal, and though she had an amazing performance, I believe that the standout actor is Joel Courtney as innocent-faced Joe Lamb. He deals with the emotions from death of his mother and the confusion from not only first love, but also fighting for this first love with his best friend. He uses his innocence so well, and for those of you that have seen the movie, you understand which scenes that I am referring to.

The story is also very impressive. I won't spoil the ending, but it deals with aliens. The suspense is built up well and each surprise is as shocking as it could be. My one problem with the movie is that it seemed to stall in the middle by adding too much emotion. But it seemed to move the movie forward, so I don't have that much of a problem with it. The story flowed smoothly and it developed the plot and the characters equally well. I thought that the relationship between Joe and his father, also brilliantly played by Kyle Chandler, was the most interesting. Both were clearly dealing with the death of a loved one, and neither knew how to deal with it. The acceptance, which works its way around full circle, of this passing by both the father and Joe is not only heart-wrenching but also exquisitely done.

This is one of the best movies of the year, and will be considered one of the best movies of the summer. It flowed perfectly from beginning to end. It scared you at times, and it made you root for the right people. It brilliantly paid homage to the 80s, especially Spielberg's movies, but it did not force it too much. The action scenes were directed perfectly. The cast was heart-warming and surprisingly genuine. The relationship between Joe and Alice and Joe and his father were developed very well. There was great chemistry between all of the actors. The story was great, the plot was great. It may be cliched, and it may be seen on almost every poster for Super 8. But in my opinion, and in most opinions, Super 8 is, for lack of a better word, super.