Best movie of 2011 so far!

Rating: 10/10 (13 June 2011)

"Super 8" is the movie they used to make back in "the good old days." Back when special effects were creatively used to serve the story and characters, not just there to cover the screen and show off the latest tech. Back when kids in films would act like real people without being over-simplified and dumbed-down. Back when films were made seemingly to grab at your imagination, not just make a quick buck. In an era of the endless sequel/retread/reboot/prequel/cash-in, Super 8 arrives like a breeze on a warm day. It is the greatest homage to classic 70's and 80's sci fi adventure that has been attempted. It is for all of us that grew up on films like E.T, Close Encounters, The Goonies, and Stand By Me. It is for anyone that saw a Steven Spielberg film and was moved by the sense of wonder he brought to them, the way I was the first time I saw movies like Jurassic Park, Jaws, or Back to the Future. It is for all of us that appreciate the art of film making. And in glorious two dimensions to boot.
I've gotten this far without mentioning who is behind all of this. Super 8 was written and directed by JJ Abrams (director of 2009's Star Trek and Mission:Impossible 3, producer of Cloverfield, and creator of shows such as Lost and Fringe), and it should come as no surprise to find that Steven Spielberg himself was the producer. Abrams has clearly always had a love for Spielberg's work, and the passion with which he creates this tribute is clear from the start. He inserts references to almost all of Steven's trademarks, taking elements from those famous films and expertly crafting the film to play as familiar but never ripped-off or copied. It's more the sense of adventure and mystery that he owes to the original films than the actual story. Sure, some cynics may disagree, but I never felt like I was watching a movie I had seen before. Similar feelings and themes were invoked, but I was never less than enthralled with what would happen next.
Super 8 bases much of it's humor and young group of friends dynamic off of what we loved in The Goonies and Stand by Me. I was surprised and impressed with just how funny the dialog and banter is. There was numerous one-liners that had my group of friends cracking up and repeating them afterward. Even in the midst of intense action, Abrams manages to sneak in some great humor without it feeling forced or contrived. Abrams recognizes that without these well-rounded and endearing characters, all the special effects in the world are meaningless. Sure, they look great (alright, I admit the opening train sequence is pretty ridiculous), but what makes everything work is we really do care about these characters and we are eager to see how they overcome their obstacles.
It's no accident that the plot starts off with the kids trying to shoot their own movie. Abrams bases the story in the late 70's, and we are immediately treated to a wondrous sequence that gives us a taste of their lives while setting up an effective atmosphere. And for those that are wondering, Super 8 gets its name from the young wanna-be film makers in the actual story, trying to shoot their movie on Super 8 film, like so many did in those days. It isn't long before the big mystery begins, and the way it unravels will be no shock to Abrams' veterans. He wisely believes in the idea of less-is-more, and waits to tie everything together. Of couse, I'd be lying if I said there was some huge twist that will blow your mind. That's not the point or goal. In that regard, it comes off well because the motivations for everyone (no, I'm not going to spoil everything this movie is about, you can go elsewhere if you insist on that) are so believable. There wasn't any point where I got frustrated at a lack of understanding. Not everything needs to be explained thoroughly, what matters is that we know what's going on and essentially why. When a film has multiple layers and stories, it can be a burden for some to keep up with it. This was a problem for some when viewing LOST, and although Super 8 is hardly as complex, the same rules apply.
In the end, Super 8 is a great time at the movies, in every way a great time at the movies should be. It entertains first and formost, but features undeniable humor, a fun mystery, fresh performances, and a feeling that I have not felt since I grew up with all those films Abrams' carefully emulates. The nostalgia factor may have been a big part, but I don't care. As one review so astutely put it, "It's a great thing to see a motion picture spectacle that does not require a temporary lobotomy for gratification." An easy front-runner for best movie of 2011, Super 8 is an enjoyable adventure for all but the biggest cynics. 9/10