Super 8

Alright, I may be a little biased - but I'm going to do my best to give a solid review of J.J. Abram's latest film, "Super 8."

If you follow my blog, you'll know I've been waiting for this film for a long time, so here we go.

To begin, I have to say, I have never been less disappointed with a movie. I went into this experience with high expectations, ready to be let down or have my final mind set be knocked down a few notches. Surprisingly, everything I expected came through in full glory. Even on top of that, in most cases, my expectations were blown away.

"Super 8" is a film that takes us back in time, to the early 80's, when Spielberg was in his prime. There is certainly a nostalgic feeling throughout the whole film - bringing me back to the years when "E.T.", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", and "The Goonies" all came out. Strangely enough, "Super 8" feels like a mixture of all of these films, with a little "Alien" thrown in. I've seen many reviews that say Abrams paid homage a little too much to Spielberg, copying his past work - but I couldn't disagree more. Sure, there are moments where you feel like it is a sequel to one of Spielberg's films, but this is another world - with its own characters, problems, and messages. It's impressive how well Abram's was able to emulate the classic Amblin films. This is a tribute to those films - not a celluloid copy.

I'm not going to go into the whole detailed plot of the film, since I think there is a sense of mystery within the movie, that the trailers don't necessarily explain. But, it takes place in a small Ohio town in 1979, focusing a group of kids (picture the Goonies) trying to shoot a zombie film for a local festival. The kids themselves are what make the movie special. I could have literally watched a film just on them. There's the lovable shy main character Joe, the bossy director, Charles, the aspiring actor, Martin, and the kid who can't seem to stop lighting stuff on fire, Carey. There is also the female of the group, Alice (played by Elle Fanning - Dakota's sister) who steals the show (her career starts here). Upon filming one night at a train station, a truck crashes onto the tracks and collides with an oncoming air force train.

The crash that ensues is one of the most spectacular, jaw-dropping moments I have ever seen produced. I don't want to describe it in detail, but I knew what was coming/what to expect, and I found myself literally forgetting to breathe during it.

What emerges from the train is something awesome. I won't hit you over the head with it - but the train was traveling from Area 51.

Upon finding their camera amongst the wreckage, the kids find it had been filming during the crash and decide to use the footage in their movie - but they have to wait 3 days for the film to be developed (oh technology of the 80's). During this time, electronics begin to disappear from the town, local dogs go missing, and the power begins to surge. When the film comes back to the kids - they're surprised at what the see - a glimpse of whatever it was that broke out of the train. Soon the Air Force comes and take over and the kids go on a mission to figure out what is going on in the town.

Sure - it sounds typical, and done before, but it isn't. J.J. has a way of making the film unique - one way being the pacing. This is one of the best 'moving' films I've ever seen. You never feel burdened by the story, or lose interest. Once the film begins, it's a steady ride until the end, keeping you engaged the whole time.

Now back to what was on the train - I'll refer to it as a creature, to not give too much away. Abrams teases the audience throughout the entire film by allowing pieces to be seen, but never the whole thing. Sometimes the whole thing is shown, but it's moving so fast, you're mind plays tricks on you, leaving you not sure what you actually did see. Much like "Jaws" or "Alien" - this film is scary because of it's tension and jump-indusing moments. It's not gory - but good, old-fashioned on the edge of your seat scary. But, unlike "Jaws" or "Alien" this creature isn't hunting on purely primal and predatory instincts. This thing is smart. And even more importantly? It's pissed off. Not from the train crash, but because of what it 'remembers'. It has a motive and it goes after it.

For the whole time the film was in production, I dreamt of what this thing looked like, and if I could, I would like to thank J.J. and the creature artist for creating something so unique and bizarre, that I was never able to comprehend anything even remotely close to it. In a way, it's beautiful.

So should you go see this movie? Absolutely. I know some people didn't enjoy it and I respect that, but I can't fathom why. Sure, it has it's flaws - as all movies do ( J.J. sometimes likes to over do it on the lens flare), but it is something special. I'm sure some of you won't enjoy it, but I think you'll at least appreciate it for what it is and what it means for this industry. It was able to bring me back to my childhood - to the films I would watch on Saturday mornings. It left me with a sense of awe, a sense of hope, and a reassurance that even in today's Hollywood, full of remakes and sequels, I am still capable of creating something completely original, which almost seems like a forgotten art form.

I'd give it an easy 94 out of 100.

And in all seriousness - it may have instantly jumped into my top 20 films.