Super 8

Special Guest Reviewer Today!

An outstanding collaboration between J.J. Abrams (director) and Steven Spielberg (producer). I am still pumped and wish all movies could be made by these two geniuses. Yes, it is reminiscent at times of ET, Close Encounters, or Stand by Me, and the problem with drawing from these great films that is what exactly?

It combines realism and fantasy, small town life and aliens, plus quiet teenage angst and blockbuster explosions. In short, something for everyone. The one glaring cliché was that the government was working against everyone as usual.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the flavor of a simpler time in 1979 Americana (pre computers or cell phones and little parent involvement). The unknown young actors held their own nicely with the older familiar character actors. I remembered during the movie that I have read of Spielberg spending his teenage summers making home movies like the kids in this movie and hope there are young future filmmakers out there doing the same instead of sitting glued in front of a computer or TV.

This was an enjoyable experience, and I look forward to more projects from this team. Oh, and don’t leave too soon. There is a treat during the credits. 9/10.