Childhood through the "Super 8" mind

Rating: 7/10 (6 December 2016)

As I sat back in my chair, I could not help but return to a time of riding my BMX dirt bike, and being denied an opportunity to play Dungeons & Dragons with my older brothers. Super 8 hearkens back to a time where the imagination was not hindered by technology. This is a story of six middle school kids, making a horror flick within the backdrop of a small iron town in Ohio during the late seventies. The super 8 camera, these kids use to make their film, becomes the central character, that not only unites the kids, but captures the brooding antagonist, that eventually terrorizes this sleepy town.
Just watching this film, I could not help but to feel that I was a eight year old, transfixed as Elliot was whisked away with ET, or frightened as Carol Ann announced that "They're Here" in Poltergeist. The cinematography, acting, and pacing lets me know just how much of a protégé of Steven Spielberg, JJ Abrams truly is. It is refreshing to see a Summer blockbuster movie concentrate more on story, characters, and suspense more than special effects. Don't get me wrong, as an animator, I enjoyed the animation and realism of the foreboding creature. But the monster and the effects became a secondary piece to the film as a whole.
I think it's a wonderful change to revert to a style of film making, and even a period of time, where the imagination and creativity were king. When people inevitably become older, we always say that times were better when we were kids. In my biased opinion, I believe that applies to the style and story of this film. I just hope that the younger generations could unplug for a little while, and find at least some inspiration from this film.