Cast: Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Riley Griffiths, Gabriel Basso and Ryan Lee
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
MPAA Rating: PG 13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and some drug use
Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction
Running Time: 1hr 52min
Release date: June 10th, 2011
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
By John Delia
The Wow factor tops ten in this sci-fi thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat till it’s mind-blowing ending. The cunning direction and writing by J.J. Abrams of Super 8 confirms the director’s ability to keep an audience wanting more. If you like suspenseful, well-acted movies that surprise at most every turn then hurry to see Super 8.
School’s out in a small town and Charles (Riley Griffiths) hasn’t finished his movie, being filmed with his super 8 camera, that he started this past year in middle school. He pushes his friends to help him complete the task over the summer so he can get it into a film competition and they agree. One night they are filming a scene at an old railroad station and they witness a disastrous train wreck that nearly kills the film group. Narrowly escaping death the five friends are determined to keep going with their masterpiece in spite of the catastrophic incident. When strange things start happening in their town, including the disappearance of many people, the film crew starts to investigate.
Director Abrams (Star Trek, 2009) does a terrific job keeping his audience in suspense as he maneuvers his players through the story. It doesn’t take him 15 minutes to flesh out his interesting characters before pulling the trigger on the action.
And his actors are amazingly good, choosing bright new faces to play the young pre-teens that are the brave inquisitive group. I especially liked Riley Griffiths as Charles the tough director who will go at lengths to get his movie made, even in the face of impending doom. The young Elle Fanning (sister of Dakota) puts her talent to the test creating a troubled girl who has to deal with family problems and puberty while accommodating her friends to be the star of their movie. Super 8 is not her first film, but this time the role’s a more pronounced support star.
But the best performance comes from Joel Courteny as Joe Lamb a youngster who has to deal with the recent death of his mother by diving head first into Charles’s film project in an attempt to connect with reality. When Joe does however, he becomes the thread that holds the group together.
Super 8 tops my list for originality, creativity and entertainment value over any film released thus far. Special effects, make-up and computer generated graphics add to the amazing story that continues to play out in my brain long after seeing this sci-fi thriller. It’s that good! I can get an argument that you can see some of Executive Director Stephen Spielberg’s body of work laced throughout, but I have a strong feeling that writer Abrams inserted the quips with tongue-in-cheek.
The film is rated PG 13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and some drug use. Super 8 is also available in IMAX in select theatres. Make sure you watch the film credits for a special treat.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Super 8 gets a 10 in my book. (A)