What is Super 8?

Rating: 8/10 (12 June 2011)

Trailers, television spots and advertising materials like billboards usually give the viewers a pretty good idea of what a film is going to be about. Usually. In Super 8's case, they just make you wonder more how it will play out. There are just a few things you are sure of: 1) A group of kids are shooting a movie, 2) A train goes unbelievably bonkers and obliterates everything on its path while they're shooting, 3) A life form inside the train gets out and 4) All hell breaks loose. Not even the reason for the title Super 8 is given away. This is a gamble that may or may not pay off. Clearly, the appeal of the unknown can work for or against its success. Which C do you care about more, curiosity or clarity? Thankfully, watching the film makes us discover that the plot is not that complicated after all, which is not necessarily a good or a bad thing.
To limit the spoilers in this review, I will plainly say that Super 8 tells a story of teenage awakening with a monster movie backdrop. Aside from the explosions and pandemonium, it features a lot of emotion and humor – just like how everyday life is. The film shows us that even if something bizarre happens, life goes on. The only difference is that normal people do extraordinary things when faced with something that they don't understand. At the end of it all, it's not the specialists that triumph but it's people like you and me. What makes Super 8 stand out from your regular monster movie is that although it is about a very serious and dangerous situation, kids are at the helm. Given all of these things, the film becomes more accessible to a wider audience. Although it may alienate hardcore sci-fi fans, Super 8 ends up as a way cooler version of your average family movie.
Super 8's plot accomplishes much. However, based on the hype that was built around it, watching it leaves you with a sense that it could have been so much more than it was. Moreover, there was not enough explanation about why erratic behaviors were everywhere (technology going haywire, dogs losing their minds).
In terms of performances, the cast of Super 8 proves that you don't need all-star actors to tell a good story. The most recognizable actor here was Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), who is, after all, not new to the monster movie scene after playing the self-absorbed actor in King Kong (2005). Interestingly enough, Super 8 has a lot of common with King Kong, things I will let you find out for yourselves. Joel Courtney as a protagonist was very convincing as a small town boy trying to cope with his mother's death, and at the same time figuring out his relationship with his deputy sheriff father (Chandler) and with his friend Alice (Elle Fanning). Careers of both Courtney and Fanning will surely skyrocket because of this production.
Over the years, J.J. Abrams has created and revamped a lot of material. One can't help but remember Cloverfield when watching Super 8. Of course, the monster-video camera tandem was present in both films. Fortunately, the comparison stops there. Super 8 has a lot more story to it, and has many characters you just can't help but sympathize with. Additionally, there is no immediate need to barf after watching the film since unlike Cloverfield, it isn't filmed with a shaky camera the entire time. Going back to Abrams, there is no doubting his genius. He created Alias, which received a huge following and propelled Jennifer Garner to stardom, and revived the Star Trek franchise with his 2009 theatrical version. However, not everything can be a hit, as evidenced by his recently-canceled show called Undercovers, and by the reception that he got from major Star Trek fans calling him the "Star Trek Killer." Whatever you think of him, the man certainly knows how to entertain, and we can expect a lot more things from this guy.
Finally, at the end of the credits, we discover what Super 8 is. However, after watching the film, knowing the title does not matter that much anymore since we realize that the journey of how we got there is enough to leave the cinema feeling good about ourselves, and feeling good in general. I recommend this film for people who have taste.