Super 8 Review

Rating: 9/10 (24 October 2013)

First off let me just say that I don't believe this film is a prequel to "Cloverfield." "Super 8" stands on its own level as a monster adventure film. The creature design is very similar to the one of "Cloverfield" but the size, movement, and eyes are completely different. Some could say that this is an early stage of this creatures evolution, but I believe that J.J. Abrams made this film without the intention of tying it into the story of "Cloverfield."
Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney), and his three friends are making a zombie movie. They ask for help from Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning), whose dad has a feud with Joe's dad, who is the local sheriff of the town. One night after stealing her dads car, Alice drives the boys out to the train depot, where they are to film the next scene. While filming, a train passes by, but only to be met by a man driving a truck with a suicide mission. Inside the train lies a secret that the government has been hiding from us.
The cast of kids were great, even though there are a few moments when the character of Charles played by Riley Griffiths becomes extremely annoying. Joel Courtney was remarkable, and truly a breath of fresh air when it comes to child actors. Too have a child actor make you believe his sadness, or better yet, his fascination with all the crazy stuff that is going on around him, is a great cinematic treat.
From her great small parts in "The Nines" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", to her break out role as Cleo in Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere". Elle Fanning has proved to me that she is a better actress then her sister. Im not trying to hate on Dakota Fanning but Elle Fanning is truly relaxed and it seems that everything comes natural for her, as with Dakota everything feels forced, and rushed. Im excited to see more of Elle Fanning, I think her acting will get better with age.
I am a huge fan J.J. Abrams, every since I saw the pilot episode of "Lost". Then when "Star Trek" came out I was excited that he was trying to bring in a new audience. Now I still don't care that much for "Star Trek" but I will admit that the film was entertaining. But I think Abrams has the made the film he has wanted to make ever since he was kid watching "Close Encounters of a Third Kind" and "E.T.", and he pulled off almost everything with perfection. I just wish the film wasn't so predicable. This is still one hell of an entertaining film that had me in "AW" for the first half. I give Super 8 a 9 out of 10.