Super 8?? I'll give it a 6!!

Rating: Null/10 (20 August 2011)

I heard so many things from the media and friends that had already watched the film that this movie was a cross between the 'goonies' and E.T.
Well I can tell you now that this film is nothing like the Goonies. For me the kids didn't have that same chemistry from what we saw in the goonies (Even though at times you feel that the film tries to take aspects of the goonies) and I doubt a group of young actors who come together will ever have that again as Spielberg and Donner hit gold there. However there were still some good acting performances, notably from Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning. But when the group were a whole together it just didn't seem to click. At times it was just not funny even though there was intended humour directed through riley Griffiths (Charlie who in the end just became completely annoying through his constant blubbering, spitting and constant tantrums) and Ryan Lee (Cary who just wanted to blow stuff up, which became tiresome after nearly two hours of watching). However I must say that Joel Courtney did have a rather striking resemblance to a young Sean Astin (Mikey from the goonies) To say the film is like E.T. is rather unfair as on a whole this film is nothing like E.T. However without giving much away there are only three aspects that are similar to E.T. The bike chases, the ending and that the film is staged in the late 70's and early 80's. To have this film staged in this era does sometimes give it an E.T. feel to things but I quite like the idea of the film being set then as it gives the film a type of authenticity.
Whilst watching this film you do feel a Spielberg presence and you can see very clearly some of his film influences such as those mentioned but for me at times and more notably 'close encounters of the 3rd kind' as when the story unfolds the audience find that there is a huge army presence who attempt to cover the truth from the locals. Sound familiar? Okay, forget about the films obvious influences and take it for what it is. This film is a children's adventure with a sci fi twist. At times it can be a little slow and cheesy, however it has great special effects and is on a whole enjoyable. However the ending did slightly ruin it for me and if there would of been an alternative one this film may of had a 7 or 8.
I'll give it 6/10.