3.5 stars
Steven Spielberg returns to a genre he’s had past success in with Super 8, a science-fiction film written and directed by Lost’s J.J. Abrahams.
After his mother’s accidental death, young Joe and his friends spend their summer producing a zombie movie for a local film festival. One summer night, the ragamuffin group witness a scene that quickly unravels into a chaotic series of events.
Spielberg and Abrams chose to keep the details of this film secret until the film’s release.
The producers proactively kept details of the plot under wrap, and rightfully so, as the film’s allure adds to the story.
The objective of Super 8 is not to answer questions about aliens and the great unknown. It is about telling a greater story. Super 8 captures a certain spark reminiscent of schoolchildren finally free to lay claim on new summer adventures.
Thankfully, Super 8 did not fall into the trap of excessive CGI. The action movie used powerful lighting and a moving score to carry the suspenseful plot.
Sometimes this genre makes it so that films have a tough time standing out creatively from previous films.
With powerful performances by child actors, the film upholds such a genuine feel, it’s hard to believe Super 8 is merely a movie.
Appealing to all ages, the audience gets lost in the groups earnest attempts to solve this surreal mystery.
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