SUPER 8
Directed and Screenplay by J.J. Abrams
Starring Joel Courtney; Elle Fanning; and Kyle Chandler
What is Super 8?
It is a film about a young boy in 1979 dealing with loss.
It is a film about a father dealing with loss and learning how to communicate with his son.
It is a film about a summer adventure of a group of boys and a girl who decide to make a Super 8 film and stumbling on a government secret.
It is a film about a boys summer crush with a girl, who up until this summer, had not said a word to him.
It is a film with an alien that may or may not represent what is happening in this boys life.
There is a lot going on in this film and it all works. The film takes you back to a time and place where kids rode bikes freely and had adventures within their own town (Like Goonies or Stand By Me). Where you had to wait DAYS to get a film developed. Where kids made up films or games to keep busy. All this captured perfectly by J.J. Abrams (Who is of course directing the new Star Wars film). The look of this film is fantastic!! With a dash of blue light coming across the screen once in awhile giving us the feel that we are watching a Super 8 film. He also is the screenwriter and you can see the nods to his producer Spielberg in this film with the bikes and humor and the adventure.
Here he put together a great ensemble of young actors to work with. Highlighted by Elle Fanning who swoops in and almost steals the film. Watch her in the scene when she asks Joe how she looks acting like a zombie. She owns the screen. Don't believe me? Watch her here or in Malificent; or Phoebe In Wonderland; or her small role in Benjamin Button; We bought A Zoo (she kind of stole that film also). She is only 17, and has to be the brightest actress on the horizon at the age of 18 and under. Oh...and just wait to Wednesdays blog!!!!!
Before I finish, I have to mention two great performances one by an unknown actor Joel Cortney in the lead as Joe. Joe is lost in the world, and is in love and is scared all at the same time. Also, another great performance by Kyle Chandler as the father and police officer.
Faults: I still am not sure if I like the ending. It was kind of flat. There is a theory out there that maybe the alien part of this film or maybe the whole film was not real but an escape for a child who is going the trauma. I tend not to lean that way but it is an interesting thought for any first time watchers out there just to think of as they watch.
When the film came out I do think it was a hard film to market because it touched on so many things...so they went with the alien theme and it is so much more. The alien represents yearning and pushing forward.
In 2011 when Super 8 came out it was my number 1 film of the year. It plops you down in the 70's. You know that house. You know those bikes. You know those cars on your street. You know those friends. 4 1/2 stars for Super 8. Well written. Well directed. Well acted. Exciting and funny. Watch the credits!! Move it to the top of your queue!!!
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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