Movie Review: Super 8

Super 8 was a film surrounded by mystery prior to its release. In true J.J Abrams fashion, there was a teaser trailer released over a year ago that got everyone buzzing about the film without even knowing much about it. It was an effective tactic for Abrams, Super 8 doesn't only live up to the hype, it greatly surpasses it.

Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) and his friends are out of school for the summer. His friend Charles (Riley Griffiths) goal is to make a film and enter in a Super 8 film contest. One night while shooting a scene for Charles's film, Joe and his friends see a pick-up truck drive onto the train tracks to derail a train. The kids witness a monumental train crash in which the cargo of the train has escaped. Soon after, strange things begin to happen in the town. The military arrives, people and animals begin disappearing, and other strange phenomenons occur. Joe's father Jackson (Kyle Chandler) is the deputy in the town and the people are coming to him for answers which he can not supply. Joe and his friends are also busy looking for answers to what they saw the night of the crash and what could possibly be destroying their town.

Super 8 is the type of old-school entertainment we don't tend to get very often. This is a throwback to the 70's and 80's adventure flicks such as The Goonies with the alien elements of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Super 8 is a near-perfect film that provides non-stop fun for two hours. J.J Abrams is able to create one of the most original and engaging films in year. Abrams, who has already proved his brilliance with films such as Star Trek, shows yet again why is he is one of the elite filmmakers in Hollywood. Along with Abrams's outstanding script and direction, is the wonderful young leads. These kids really stepped it up. Every single one of them does an amazing job and should have long careers ahead of them.

Super 8 is just an awesome movie. It's one of the most original,fun, and entertaining films to come out in the past few years. J.J Abrams has made a film with literally something for everyone. Hollywood needs more films that are as good and original as Super 8. I am not necessarily opposed to the recent Hollywood trends of remakes and adaptions (as long as they are good), but it's always nice to see a film with an original idea during a time where they are few and far between. Super 8 is easily among my favorite films of 2011 and I can expect it to finish in my top 5 (at the very least) at the end of the year.

4.5/5 Stars