Super 8

My Grade:  A

I have some good news folks, I’m going to act like the trailers and not give ANYTHING away about the movie... which is going to be a challenge if I plan to be as vague as the trailers were.  Here’s what we know:  a group of kids is making some sort of movie when something crazy happens (maybe something reminiscent of a Spielberg movie?).  Oh yea, we also know it involves a train.  That doesn’t give me much to work with, but I’ll give it a go.

     

First of all, I would like to remind everyone how much I don’t like science fiction.  The good thing for people like me is that Super 8 is like the Megazord of movies.  If you are not familiar with the Megazord from the original Power Rangers, then just think about how all the Transformers joined together in this giant (pretty stupid) thing at the end of Transformers 2...  the point is that Super 8 is a mesh of genres.  It also seems to borrow some ideas from other movies (but what movie doesn’t?).  This is not to say, however, that it is not original or fresh.  It is part sci-fi, part adventure, part disaster movie, part comedy, part romance (and bro-mance), part creature feature, and even part horror.  These all come together in a strangely captivating way that not only holds your attention, but keeps you on the edge of your seat.

     

The thing that this movie has over similar movies is that it puts the main characters in danger, but you actually want to see them survive for more reasons than that they are the main characters.  The kids have endearing quirks and witty dialogue, but, more importantly, they deal with problems that someone of any age can relate to.  This gives them loads of empathy and we feel like we might cry if one of them died, which seems to be a real possibility.  Although the kids dominate the film, there are also some very strong moments with the adults in the film (parents of the kids as you might expect).  All I will say is that the main adult relationship grows and changes in a very effective way that works beautifully in the story.

     

The problem with this film is that it sometimes falls back on cheap jump scares in exchange for real suspense.  It also uses some of the SAME jump scares over and over until they start to feel a bit like gimmicks.  A little more creativity in ways to make the audience jump, scream, close their eyes, or grab the arm of their significant other would have been very, very welcome.  Also, once you learn more details about the big event (which you learn in the very first shot and subsequent scene), it seems almost too contrived with the intent to grasp your heart-strings and yank at them... only in the movies, I guess.

     

Overall, this is a very entertaining film with the action of a mindless, summer popcorn flick and the heart of a strong drama (not an exceptional drama).  Go see it and make sure you stay in your seats until a little bit into the final credits.  One of the most memorable parts of the film takes place after the first few minutes of credits.