30 Second Movie Review:Super 8

Super 8 is a Steven Spielberg produced film,directed by JJ Abrams.If you didn't know Abrams was involved,you would think this was a Spielberg directed film.It carries alot of his nuances,from focusing on children,to the emotional distance parents can have,right down to the involvement of the surreal happenings in a small town.

Joe is a 12 year old kid who hangs out with a bunch of friends making horror movies to pass the time in his small town in Ohio,circa 1979.The story follows Joe as the protaganist as he tries to get over the death of his mother,connect with his father and starts feeling that special weirdness towards Alice,a girl from school with some baggage.Oh and an Air Force train derails and releases something into town that steals engines from cars,abducts the citizens and causes all the dogs to run away.Joe and his friends film the accident and start to investigate.What they find is strange,yet it helps Joe find strength in his new friendship with Alice,get through to his shut off Dad,and say goodbye to his Mom.

I could have watched this film if it had nothing to do with the train crash.Joe's story and his friends were all written well and interesting.The mystery isn't much of a mystery if you really think hard,but when what was in the train is revealed,despite not being a surprise,it advances the story to it's conclusion with simplicity.Super 8 is not going to win any awards for true originality,but it is an example of good,old fashioned story telling.4 stars.