Directed by J.J. Abrams
Written by J.J. Abrams
I am sitting here, staring at my computer, trying to think of a recent movie to write about, when it hits me, like a crazy-ass awesome five-minute long jaw-dropping train explosion. Super 8 duh!
There is something special about going into a movie with zero expectations, and then having the movie blow you out of the water. But beyond the outward snazziness of CGI and fancy explosions, Super 8 follows the heartwarming story of a group of awkward kids as they attempt to understand the strange phenomenon occurring in their town resulting from the train crash. They do so while simultaneously working on their first student film *sigh* which they hope to enter into a local film festival.
The lead characters are short 13-year-old Joe, played by Joel Courtney and his love interest Alice, played by Elle Fanning (Phoebe in Wonderland). We somberly begin with Joe outside the funeral party for his mother, whom we learn has died in a horrific accident involving Alice’s father. Yes, Joe is carrying a small heart-shaped locket. No the audience can’t see what’s inside. Yes we find out at the end. However, ignoring this shameless attempt at gaining sympathy from the audience, something familiar and naive about his character draws us in. It isn’t until 20 minutes later that we witness one of the most exciting explosion sequences in the last five years of cinema. Luckily our young filmmakers were shooting a scene during the explosion and were able to film a portion of the event and the mysterious monster the train was containing; making this group of mangy kids the only eyewitnesses to the event.
Turns out that the train was related to the military and carrying highly classified cargo, quickly leading to a rise in tensions as the United States Army surrounds the town. To his advantage, the student-film director Charles, your chubby, love-struck, bossy director, played by Riley Griffiths, decides to use the army and the recent occurrences to the crew’s advantage. While the army is busy trying to understand/cover-up the explosion and catch the “thing” that was released from the train, the young kids use them as a backdrop for their own film creating a high sense of realism and a chuckle or two from the audience.
Aside from the cheesy gas-station murder sequences and the over-used shots of mysterious monsters moving amongst the trees, the characters’ personalities quickly become the feature attraction. Joining Joe and Alice is a group of quite possibly the most loveable group of immature kids since Robin Williams. Standing out from the crew is young actor Ryan Lee, who beyond having the biggest teeth in the world, plays an endearing pyromaniac who accompanies the gang and serves as one of the comedic backbones of the film.
Anyone who purchases a movie ticket for Super 8 must keep in mind that they are not going to see this movie for its intricately layered plot. Unfortunately, one can guess the ending within the first 5 minutes. However, what you should be expecting is to fall in love with the charismatic gang of characters whom everyone can see a piece of themselves in.
The most powerful part of the movie occurs when Joe is watching movie clips of his deceased mother and Alice sneaks in. Did I mention Alice has an abusive alcoholic father? Together, the pair watch clips until we suddenly cut too Fanning giving the best performance of her career. Fanning floods with emotion allowing the audience to see her struggle and compassion. Coming from an actor, it is easy to summon that emotion and “bring the tears” but Fanning keeps her composure and allows herself the feel the emotion from beginning to it’s end. There is no straining. There is no side coaching from the J.J. Abrams. It is just the camera, Fanning, and simplicity.
Super 8 plays on similar heartstrings to E.T., The Goonies, and every other movie about a gang of kids whom you want to squeeze for eternity. You follow them on a laughable plot-line but your heart opens up and embrace its’ individuality. It wasn’t until I finished the film, and the cute short that followed during the credits, that I remembered what my thoughts were going into the movie. When (not if) you decide to see the film, you need only let yourself exist in that ever so horrible 13-year-old body again, and permit your adult mind to join them on their disjointed journey, and then you will not be disappointed.
