Nostalgic fun

Rating: 8/10 (16 May 2015)

Hailing from early 80s cool and super exciting (and unfortunately long gone) aura, Super 8 is a nostalgic and fun movie which successfully merges the old and the new.
It is fun just not for the times, but for the type of film-making too. Obviously, there is an homage to producer Spielberg here, and even though there is that, the film is still it's own movie. It's a good original one from Mr. Abrams wrapped in touches to Spielberg and other films from that era, like E.T., Gremlins, Close Encounters of The Third Kind, and even Goonies. Lens reflections, story over spectacle and kids you instantly like, care for, and you want to see what happens to them. Back when kids were kids and they talked and acted like kids, just like those great films of the 80s. It was so refreshing to see this instead of the typical modern kids in movies who like so polished and like they just stepped off of the newest low rated TV show. These kids are from 1979, but I find them relatable and interesting. Really good storytelling, at least for me.
The love and detail Mr. Abrams puts into his scenes, characters, and era the film is set in, is so lovingly detailed. On the other hand, not everyone will enjoy Super 8. It has a broad appeal, but the tone and style won't appeal to everyone, probably most particularly those over the age of 60 and/or those not around in early 80s. Nevertheless, most viewers will find something to enjoy in it especially if they focus on the relationship between the characters and not the overall story.
8/10