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So as you know, I stopped writing lengthy reviews on this site this year, keeping the blog as more of a film diary of sorts.  Lo and behold,...

Friday, June 24, 2011

Movie Review - Super 8

Super 8 (2011)
Starring Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard, Riley Griffiths, and Ryan Lee
Directed by J.J. Abrams

Somehow or another -- whether it be by the cinematographic framing or the simple fact that the film was set in the 80s (well 1979, so the cusp of the 80s) -- director-writer J.J. Abrams does succeed in creating the Steven Spielberg-esque tone that he was certainly going for with his new science-fiction film Super 8.   Surprisingly, however, this flick about an alien on Earth is no E.T.  I'm not sure why I was expecting some nice "ET, phone home" type moments, but that certainly didn't happen here...and it was a rather pleasant treat that the film took on more of a homage to horror classics in addition to being somewhat of loving tribute to the "tone" that Spielberg set in his quintessential early and mid-career classics.  However, in the end, Super 8 never really marries its horror/adventure side with its heart side (a staple of Spielberg's oeuvre) and because of that lack of cohesion, it's a film that finds itself a tad disappointing when all is said and done.

Certainly, Abrams got great work out of his group of young actors.  Young Joel Courtney (in his first ever acting gig) and Elle Fanning have a nice go at the puppy love that is going on amongst their characters Joe and Alice.  The two are both excellent with Fanning once again proving that she's a force to watch (of course, I already knew that seeing as how I placed her in my Top Five younger actors last year).  As the duo and their group of friends (all great, by the way, including Riley Griffiths in his first role) film a horror movie utilizing their super 8 camera, the scenes involving these young'uns make up the Spielberg-ian heart.  Unfortunately, the film aims at trying to create a coming of age tale, but drops that by the wayside in favor of the invasion of an alien.

That invasion of the alien is also successful (much like the youth-centric "heart" side of the film) for a time, but never quite succeeds in the end.  The backstory of this alien that has, in fact, been on Earth for a few decades is actually quite interesting and should have been successful in setting up a great ending.  However, Abrams, who I usually like, is sometimes prone to great set-ups with lackluster conclusions and the ending of Super 8 feels like such a letdown.  It's not that the alien isn't cool-looking, it's just that the meeting of the two worlds -- the kids and the alien -- is so ludicrous and just plain silly.  Where Spielberg successfully marries both worlds (most of the time), Abrams can't manage to do the same.

Still, despite the major problems that Super 8's story has, it's a film that admirable in what it's attempting. It is absolutely successful in its goal of being an homage to films of my youth.  It's filled with great performances from a cast of (mostly) young unknowns.  It's a film that looks great and creates a cool lore for an alien invasion.  All of which make it all the more unfortunate that Abrams can't bring everything together in the end.

The RyMickey Rating:  B-

2 comments:

  1. So, Pirate's first hour being awful and painful puts it just a place behind this because this one couldn't wed it's two sides perfectly. (I disagree but I can actually see the argument)

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  2. I did realize when I was typing up the Pirates review that I was essentially saying the same thing. Unfortunately, it probably all comes down to expectations in the end and I realize that's not something the "perfect reviewer" should take into consideration, but I can't lie and say it didn't factor into things here. I went into Super 8 expecting something fantastic and went into Pirates expecting shit.

    In the end, Pirates proved to be very entertaining. Super 8 proved to be more frustrating than I would have liked. In a way, Super 8 is the opposite of Pirates in that it works for the first two-thirds and tanks in the final act. Leaving on a bad note probably leaves a worst taste than starting on a bad note and ending on a good one (a la Pirates).

    All that said, I'd much rather see a summer full of what Super 8 at least attempts to do rather than the inanity of what Pirates does. Sure, the stupidness is welcome every now and then, but I still long for something substantial. Unfortunately, Super 8 doesn't quite deliver on the lofty goal it sets for itself...Pirates on the other hand set no goals and somewhat succeeded.

    I don't know if I'm making any sense here...I liked both...but for different reasons. And both essentially had the same problem in that there was about a third of the movie (in different spots) that simply didn't work for me.

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