Who You Know That's In It: Guy from Early Edition, Noah Emmerich, and Dakota Fanning's sister
RottenTomatoes Rating: 81%
Tagline: It arrives (they did not even try on that one)
Summary: A boy who has recently lost his mother in a tragic accident finds solace in creating a monster film with his friends. However, soon the danger becomes real when a government transport train is crashed, letting its deadly contents roam free about the town.
Review: The creators of this film really started promoting their film the right way. There was no 5-minute long trailer on TV every commercial break and what trailer was released didn't reveal every plot point. The details were fuzzy - what came out of the train? what will happen to the small town? why is that kid's dad such an ass? I like that they didn't reveal all the mysteries of the film. It made me want to see it more than the show all the one-liners and action clips approach, used for every Hollywood film. Honestly, I don't need to see films like "Horrible Bosses" because I have seen the trailer.
So some people might say that this film was like The Goonies and E.T. smushed together. Ok, sure, but there is nothing wrong with that. One of the best aspects of this film was that it followed kids around, not adults. There is something extremely refreshing about seeing the world (or plot) though a child's perspective. Also, the writer can get away with more when writing children's dialogue. There can be more slap stick humor and awkward crush conversations. The audience can relax and enjoy simple humor and goofy circumstances that could only arise when kids are running the show.
I may be stressing that "Super 8" was a simplistic film too much. Really it is clear that special pains were taken with the plot progression and character development to make the film as a complete piece look and feel "simplistic." This film had deep emotions coursing through it: death/loss, family connections, alienation, betrayal, and love (or at least a crush). The first scene asks the audience to jump right in and feel a desperate loss, as the main character Joe feels. Being hit in the face with tragedy may be the only way to make the audience connect with Joe. (Like the beginning of "Up.") I felt like I was with him as he gradually accepted this huge change in his life. The only time where the film almost left me behind was towards the end, with an emotional scene involving a locket. But, I can ignore that sappy moment and be completely satisfied with the range and journey of emotions this film let evolve.
*It must be mentioned that Elle Fanning was fantastic. She has something about her...that "it."
You'll love it if... you liked Goonies (or E.T.) and have a heart
You'll hate it if... you have ice for a soul and dislike children on a deep level
Quote from the film: Joe Lamb: [shooting Charles' movie] I wouldn't have given you this information if we hadn't served together in Vietnam.
Preston: Those were bad times.
Joe Lamb: I'd rather not talk about it.
REVIEW BY: Lara M. Carvin
