By Isaac Siegemund-Broka
Entertainment Editor
and Alex Losson
Staff Writer
Following the trend of blockbusters featuring malevolent aliens and awe-inspiring heroes, director J.J. Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg have combined their talents to create “Super 8,” the latest and greatest ‘80s-inspired success to be released in theaters worldwide.
Protagonist Joe Lamb (Joe Courtney) has a knack for special effects in movies. Lamb and his friends go to an old train station in order to finish the filming of a zombie movie. Tensions rise as the boys’ driver, Alice (Elle Fanning), suddenly realizes that she and Lamb are family enemies.
In the middle of filming a scene, the children witness a catastrophic train crash during the night. Following the crash, Joe and his friends begin to witness bizarre events. As the military forcibly occupies their town, people begin to disappear, and Sheriff Lamb (Kyle Chandler), Joe’s father, suspects the military of covering up the strange train crash.
Although “Super 8’s” actors are mostly young teens, they do a wonderful job, holding their own against the films pyrotechnic and computer-generated special effects. They also do a fantastic job evoking sympathy from the audience, particularly during the climax of the film.
The film moves steadily, but still captivates viewers and makes them anxious to learn what Lamb and his friends will encounter next. The movie takes enough time to explain the plot to its audience but is never boring enough to put the audience to sleep.
The characters of “Super 8” are relatable and realistic. Lamb’s best friend Charles (Riley Griffiths) provides unorthodox but sensitive moral support. Also, Chandler does an excellent job as Lamb’s father, maintaining a delicate balance between love for his son and confusion over his unusual situation.
The plotline is creative and exhilarating but lacking in believability. One can see the end of each scene coming far in advance, and the suspension of disbelief is pushed to its limit with the miraculous luck of Lamb and his friends; despite the amount of explosions Lamb endures, he never seems to escape with more than a minor cut or scratch.
Abrams has always wanted to make a blockbuster with his idol, Spielberg. The cinematic styling and theme of “Super 8” clearly reflects “Speilbergian” themes, such as the wonder of youth and ordinary people grappling with extraordinary circumstances.
Although it focuses on middle school kids, “Super 8” is much better suited for a slightly older audience. The drama is sophisticated, and several scenes of violence push this “kids movie” into the PG-13 range.
“Super 8,” released on June 10, is rated PG-13 and is playing in theatres everywhere.
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