Super 8

Written/Directed by J.J. Abrams
Produced by Steven Spielberg
Cast: Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning,Joel McKinnon Miller, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee,

Two kids who have lost their mothers. Two dads who are more or less distant. Several creepy happenings in a small town. A military conspiracy. A couple kids with a video camera. One very bad alien. 

Structurally, There is nothing super creative about Super 8. Think of it as E.T. but scarier. And yet, we get the feeling that this is exactly what the filmmakers wanted. J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Lost, MI:3 ) and Steven Spielberg take an obvious premise, along with themes that have been used and abused to the point of being corny, and they make a great movie. A lack of plot originality doesn’t keep Abrams and Spielberg from shining. Creativity comes into play with hilarious dialogue and masterful use of the camera. 

Writer/Director J.J. Abrams on the set

The young troupe of child actors who portray Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) and his friends (Elle Fanning, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee) carry the film with flawless talent.  This throwback tribute to the best sci-fi movies of the past debunks the myth that a good film needs a twist in the plot or an overly complex character. Good movies just need good movie makers, and we’ve found them. 

Super 8 is a fun summer movie that can be praised and enjoyed because it doesn’t take itself too seriously.