Super 8
The thing about kids is that their sense of adventure and purpose is defiant against things like the secret operations of the U.S. Air Force, unexplainable occurrences and earth shattering explosions- at least they are in this movie. With an ambitious summer plan to film their own zombie movie, a young group of friends find that what they’re about to capture on camera is something that wasn’t written into the script. What makes the storyline shine though is the strength of friendship and loyalty that they maintain and the sheer invincible powers they seem to possess.
In a cast slightly reminiscent of “Stand By Me” or even “The Sandlot,” “Super 8” centers around Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney), the adorable, sensitive son of the newly widowed police deputy (Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights), and his film making friends who witness a disastrous train wreck that contains more than meets the eye. Joe’s director buddy, Charles (Riley Griffiths) is large and in charge, ordering his friends around and making sure everything gets caught on film. Charles casts sweet but tough, Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning) to play the wife of the detective in his script, a role within a role that she plays remarkably well. Joined by fireworks-frenzied Cary (Ryan Lee) and their other two friends, whose parts are near interchangeable, and you have a cast ready for action. It’s their bond and comical dialogue that provides the heart of the story. Surprisingly, and unfortunately, the action-packed scenes are kind of yawn worthy in comparison to the banter between the kids.
Of course, fans of J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg will disagree. Yes, the duo knows how to make things explode and create a sense of urgency within their characters, but most of all they know how to build suspense. They provided a sense of mystery that is a main reason to want to see the movie. But in this case, that reason is a bit of a letdown when the great train mystery is revealed. The disappointment would have been far greater had it not been for the sweet budding romance/friendship between Joe and Alice and the theme of forgiveness and moving on (two of Abrams’ favorite topics) that is sprinkled throughout the film.
How the movie is promoted is not what makes the film likable. It’s not mystery or fear or even the action. The mellow simplicity of a bunch of kids filming a zombie movie, bland as it may seem, is what carries “Super 8” right through to the very end and changes it from being a quickly forgettable film.