It definitely has some charm going for it.

Rating: 8/10 (4 March 2018)

"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.