In the summer of 1979, a group of kids film a horror movie for a film festival. While filming a scene of their movie at a train stop, an Air Force train collides with a truck causing a massive accident. In the confusion of the explosions and destruction, something escapes from the train. Now, a small Ohio town begins having strange phenomenon. Animals run away, people are disappearing, and household appliances go on the fritz without warning. The town deputy, Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler) investigates as the military begins moving in and covering up.
Written and directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Cloverfield) and produced by Steven Spielberg (E.T., Jaws, Transformers); they take you on an adventure in Super 8.
The movie was enjoyable and fun with plenty of humorous moments to keep it light hearted and still gave the intense suspenseful scenes. Though I did feel that the movie was trying to reach a happy medium and it didn’t quite get there. Super 8 is filled with many moments of humor amongst the kids, and a friendship that felt like true camaraderie reminiscent of Stand by Me. It was moments like this that felt like the movie was trying to be kid-friendly: signature Steven Spielberg. I felt this could turn off the more adult audience, as at times it felt like I was watching a movie made more for little kids.
Then there were moments of suspense and horror, true to Abrams' Cloverfield. This is where Super 8 became confusing, as these scenes were more adult-oriented. The action was suspenseful and at times seemed too intense for a younger crowd. It often felt like Abrams was trying to bring the two worlds of E.T. and Cloverfield together, which left it a bit jumbled as to which audience this movie is intended for.
Article comments
1 - Matt
Uhh... I think you mean reminiscent of Stand By Me, not Lean On Me.
2 - Thalack
Thanks for that. I had the song Lean on Me going through my head when I wrote that.
3 - Steve
Would like to see it even if the reviews aren't great. Maybe when it comes to DVD or in the $1 theatre.
4 - Sam
Is ThissMovie Scary Is It Good For Young Kids Under 8