Just back from J.J. Abram's newest film, Super 8. The fact that alot of the movie is still a mystery is a breath of fresh air for me. Seeing it with as little knowledge as possible made it all the more worthwhile. That being said, let me dive into a little review of the film: (a little warning, there are some slight/major spoilers up ahead)
Wow. What an experience. Super 8 is a great start to the summer, and likewise a thrilling rollercoaster on it's own. J.J. Abram's nostlagic look back on Spielberg's earlier films (as well as the director's own childhoods) works very well. There are alot of hints at classic movies, and alot of the style looks and feels like a Spielberg movie.
The acting in Super 8 is very good. The adults, while experienced, definitely take back seat to the child actors. All of the kids in the film are very good, bringing as much emotion and humour to the script as they can. There is never a dull moment in the film, even when the more quiet moments pop up.
As for the film's effects, I was easily impressed. The creature itself is pretty cool looking, however this does lead to one of my bigger complaints about the creature. It looks ALOT like the Cloverfield monster. The design is uncannily like Clover's design. Even the face bares strong resemblances to that creature. Otherwise, the effects for the spaceship (at the end of the film) and other things looks pretty cool.
All that being said, I loved the film. My only major complaint comes around the finale. Without spoiling too much, I'll just say that the movie takes on a heavy E.T. feel out of nowhere (seconds before the characters were running from their lives, and some unfortunate souls were crushed or eaten). Aside from the ending (which isn't bad, just a little surprising) the film is great. It's dark yet lighthearted at the same time. Is J.J. Abrams the next Spielberg? He should be.
Wow. What an experience. Super 8 is a great start to the summer, and likewise a thrilling rollercoaster on it's own. J.J. Abram's nostlagic look back on Spielberg's earlier films (as well as the director's own childhoods) works very well. There are alot of hints at classic movies, and alot of the style looks and feels like a Spielberg movie.
The acting in Super 8 is very good. The adults, while experienced, definitely take back seat to the child actors. All of the kids in the film are very good, bringing as much emotion and humour to the script as they can. There is never a dull moment in the film, even when the more quiet moments pop up.
As for the film's effects, I was easily impressed. The creature itself is pretty cool looking, however this does lead to one of my bigger complaints about the creature. It looks ALOT like the Cloverfield monster. The design is uncannily like Clover's design. Even the face bares strong resemblances to that creature. Otherwise, the effects for the spaceship (at the end of the film) and other things looks pretty cool.
All that being said, I loved the film. My only major complaint comes around the finale. Without spoiling too much, I'll just say that the movie takes on a heavy E.T. feel out of nowhere (seconds before the characters were running from their lives, and some unfortunate souls were crushed or eaten). Aside from the ending (which isn't bad, just a little surprising) the film is great. It's dark yet lighthearted at the same time. Is J.J. Abrams the next Spielberg? He should be.
