Super 8

Hey All!!


For my first post I am going to review Super 8 to get the blog started!


Spielberg and Abrams have created another movie set to be a classic. There are tell-tale elements to the film that portray Spielberg's sci-fi style we have all appreciated at some point throughout his established career. (Except AI- Artificial Intelligence, which – let's face it – sucked!).
Super 8's setting allows bad hair cuts and extravagantly patterned shirts to make a comeback and for classic rock tracks to force everyone to nod their heads. My Sharona, The Knack, is a perfect choice for summing up the movie-making group of friends this adventure engulfs.


Joel Courtney convincingly plays main character Joe Lamb who is sucked into an alien's battle to rebuild it's ship and leave Earth. During this escapade he must also rescue fair maiden Alice (Elle Fanning) whom he has been warned to stay away from.
Whilst Charles (Riley Griffiths) commands and directs the others in their roles for his zombie apocalypse movie the group witness a deliberate train derailment and are caught in an explosion of metal and fire. (I would have liked to see this particular section of the film in 3D as the graphics were incredible). The suspense creeps in as Lamb watches the approaching truck slam head-on into a military train, the contents of which is mysterious and unknown.


They are advised by the battered driver of the truck (who also happens to be their biology teacher) to run from the scene and forget what they have seen. However, being typical kids they begin to throw theories around between each other and examine a white block, similar to a Rubik's cube which they recovered from the accident.
After a series of mysterious disappearances in the local town the U.S. Air Force descends and take over investigations. The police chief is one of the missing persons which leaves the deputy, Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler), to step up. He is shut out from all leads and turns to hacking the Air Force's radio channels for any information.


It slowly becomes clear that the hunt is on for something that has escaped from the wreckage of the train crash. All the while Joe, Charles and the rest of the group have been continuing with their film using the crash as part of their story line. After developing a reel of film they get a glimpse of the alien creature that is causing chaos to their home. Throughout the entire film, right up until the very end, the monster is kept hidden in the shadows. This not only holds the suspense and keeps you wondering what exactly the towns folk are witnessing but also helps to keep imagination alive.
Towards the end Alice is kidnapped by the alien and Joe makes it his mission to save her. Aided by his movie production buddies they break into the school in search of the biology teachers research. Unfortunately when they find it, the Air Force finds them. With Jackson Lamb incapacitated by the General there is no-one around to save Joe and the boys.


The bus escorting them back to camp is attacked by the alien which leads to their escape. This scene is perhaps the most graphic. There has been speculation whether this movie should have been ranked higher for the age certification. However, the action happens swiftly and there are more shots of the boys reactions to the violence than actual gore. If you are unsure it may be wise to view it alone before taking a child, personally I would be happy to watch with a young child without fearing post-film nightmares!
Once free of the bus the boys execute a plan to save Alice and come face to face with the alien in their attempt. This is the first point of the movie where the creature is shown in full view. They are allowed to live and leave and encourage the alien to do the same. After finishing it's ship it embarks on it's journey back home. The ship moulds itself from the Rubik's cube blocks which morph into different shapes to form new objects. Alice and Joe are reunited with their parents.


Aside from the main plot there are a few other issues that run alongside the story. Alice and Joe obviously like each other right from the start, however, as with any relationship there are complications! Charles also likes Alice and becomes jealous of Joe. At the same time Joe and Alice's fathers forbid them to see each other concerning an incident that left Mrs Lamb deceased and Alice's father feeling guilty.
At the end all of these points are resolved rounding up the film for the happy ending you hope for. After all their hard work during the credits you are able to view the film the group make which provides a few laughs.
This film has just the right amount of adventure for kids, enough swearing, gore and good music for teenagers, enough reconciled relationships and family orientated scenes for the parents and bundles of humor for everyone.


Definitely a film worth seeing on the big screen. Brilliant acting, superb soundtrack, great graphics and hordes of humor! The only point I could not figure out at the end was why the title Super 8? I have been informed since that this is the make of camera used for the home made zombie movie.


***** 5 Stars.