Super 8

Super 8 is J.J. Abrams' ode to Steven Spielberg's movies from the 70s and 80s, more specifically Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T.

Some have felt that Directer Abrams relies too much on the nostalgia factor of Spielberg rather than create his own tone and feel. There are definitely more than a few moments that feel like they were ripped right from the earlier Amblin productions, but I think Abrams main intent was to emulate the feeling of wonder and amazement that populated the movies he grew up with and I think for the most part he is quite successful, albeit not in the way I would have thought.

First though, let's start with what didn't work. The main problem I have with Super 8 is that it feels like 2 movies. E.T. was able to blend the sci fi aspects with the more emotional story with the kids quite seamlessly resulting in a near perfect family adventure film. Super 8, however, can't quite seem to figure out how to blend the kids' story with the aliens story without feeling abrupt. It's a shame too, as every moment spent with any of the kids is wonderfully realized by Abrams and the extremely talented cast, most of which have never professionally acted before. In fact, this easily could have just been a movie about them and it would be a much more successful movie overall.

As I mentioned earlier, the movie doesn't completely miss the mark in terms of the aliens story and Abrams certainly knows how to build an action scene when the time comes. It's just that we are never able to feel connected to the alien as I believe Abrams intended. And that is what keeps this movie from being truly great. Without getting too spoilery, I think had there been just a little more time spent on the alien and his back story ( which is only hinted at here) I think the movie would have had that emotional connection that Abrams was looking for.

Going back and reading this, it definitely sounds like I was really let down by the movie, and that's not exactly the case.There are some really impressive and tense action scenes that made me jump more than a few times. And every single moment that is spent with just the kids is absolutely wonderful. The way Abrams was able to develop and show their dynamic is one of the best displays of childhood friendship to be put on film in a very long time and even makes me think he could one day make the same leap to more dramatic fair as Spielberg did with hopefully the same success. It just really comes down to an underdeveloped script. I think if he had spent just a little longer on it, or had collaborated with some of his Star Trek and MI:III writers, this could have been a really special film in the same vein as E.T. and Close Encounters.

In the end though, Super 8 is still a very enjoyable movie, and very much worth your time, I personally just can't help but wonder what if J.J. had hit a home run instead of a triple?

(I know the baseball analogy came out of nowhere, but whatever, shut up.)