Overrated and overhyped

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I really liked Super 8 - it helped me relive my childhood. There are some plot points that don't make sense, and the ending is kind of weak, but it reminded me of all the time my friends and I spent making movies back in the day. This film has a throwback feel to the classic adventure movies of the 80s and it features great performances by both the kids and the adults. Fun stuff.

"Super 8" is a surprisingly engaging, heartfelt ode to vintage Steven Spielberg (think "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind") by writer / director J.J. Abrams. It focuses on a tight-knit group of young friends in the summer of 1979. Right now, led by their director, Charles (Riley Griffiths), they're busy making their own shot-on-Super-8 zombie epic. VERY early one morning, they're at the local train station filming scenes when they manage to record a catastrophic train crash. Not only there is much destruction, but a stealthy *something* escapes from the ruined train and vanishes into the night. Soon, the military shows up to try to contain the entity and keep a lid on the matter.It's true that the final half hour can't measure up to the opening 80 minutes, for then the movie does descend into maudlin predictability. Yes, some people could complain that it turns into an outright "cheese fest". But this movie has real heart, and takes place in a rural location (in and around the town of Lillian, Ohio) that could have easily been a setting for a Spielberg film. The production has a respectable amount of razzle-dazzle and an abundance of digital effects, not to mention a fairly well conceived alien creature. It has a body count of sorts, so it won't be completely harmless for the youngest of viewers. It also takes a pretty dim view of the military, as has been the case for scores of genre pictures for approximately half a century. A first rate filmmaking team includes cinematographer Larry Fong and production designer Martin Whist; the music by Michael Giacchino perfectly sets the mood.The cast couldn't be more likeable, even if some of the characters are formula types. In fact, it's the camaraderie among the kids that really makes this work as well as it does. Joel Courtney as Joe is our main character, a boy mourning the violent death of his mother, and at odds with his policeman father (Kyle Chandler). Ryan Lees' Cary is one of those expected "quirky" type of roles, a kid who likes to blow stuff up real good. Elle Fanning is appealing as the leading lady of the movie-within-the-movie, upon whom Joe crushes. Familiar faces in supporting parts and bits include Ron Eldard (as Fannings' troubled pop), Glynn Turman (as a science teacher who sets the story in motion), Noah Emmerich (as a hard-charging Air Force colonel), Bruce Greenwood, Dale Dickey, Richard T. Jones, and Dan Castellaneta.Overall, it may be imperfect - with the expected sob-into-your-hankie character resolutions and out-of-this-world finale - but it did hit a nerve with this viewer, who expects that some Spielberg devotees will go right for it.Eight out of 10.

This movie was entertaining. I'd say it was a little better than average. The train derailing was entertaining to watch but was WAY over-dramatic. How did the dude not die? A train crashed into him, and he is basically fine. Not sure what I think about the monster... He did monstery things, like dig holes, kidnap people, and hang them in webs -- but he is also capable of flying an interstellar spacecraft. Strange combination. I see where Strange Things got its inspiration. Also, the micro-bots from Big Hero 6. While the movie was not perfect, it was enjoyable, unlike so many of the other movies I have seen lately.

I know everyone says this but literally the only reason I made an account was to write a review for this movie because there are many reviews on here that haven't thought about how this movie could actually be a lot deeper than the surface ideologies show........ Perhaps Abrams did this on purpose?One word - WOW. It has taken me 3 times watching this movie without falling asleep (because at first I too thought this film was a bit of a flop) to finally understand the true depth this movie holds.I absolutely love JJ Abrams' movies because I always walk away completely and utterly mind boggled. The surface ideologies normally suggest endings with overcoming fear, love, reuniting with loved ones etc., but the passive ideologies suggest something much farther beyond the surface other than just the story about how a boy lets his mother go (when perhaps he really didn't need to?) and reunites with his father. I know IMDb suggests not to include links in reviews but I literally cannot plead with you enough to read this analysis. ----> https://super8secret.wordpress.comIt could not have summed up the same theory I have any better and I am so glad someone else feels the same way I do. I love how JJ Abrams doesn't want to give anything away in the movie and I think he is far more clever than people give him credit for. After the end of the movie I sat for a while and thought about how Joe was an extremely mature character and realized that he was much smarter than it seems. This was when I discovered something more was going on. There are many criticizing comments on IMDb about this movie and it is great that the analysis I have linked was able to see outside the square and realize there is a deeper story than the one that is shown. This is one of the reasons why I admire JJ Abrams as a director so much. Well done Abrams - 10/10.