One for the kids

Rating: 6/10 (14 April 2015)

J.J. Abrams pays homage to all of Spielberg's early movies with this mix of the Goonies and, er, an alien invasion movie.
One of the most nasty aliens possible lands in a small American town - nasty largely because of its intense desire to grab people from behind at night time. First we see its back, moving quickly amongst the darkness then we see the odd arm, wrapping itself around a hapless victim's neck. Every now and again you see a leg - possibly - it's normally too dark to see.
Anyway, the grabby-grabbity alien is running amok in a small town grabbing people like they were the last Nike trainer on the shelf, but, luckily, the U.S. Army is there to save everyone. Only they don't. Their masses of tanks and guns are pretty useless against something big that likes to grab people. However, humanity is saved by six (ish) plucky, nerdy kids who have a knack for not being grabbed (and if they are they can be rescued later) and a love of using cheap fireworks as weapons.
I grew up with the Goonies and I still watch it, largely for nostalgia values. If it was released today I probably wouldn't bother with it.
Super 8 didn't do much for me. It was too dark and it was only on the 1 hour 32 minutes mark did you find the alien has a face (while its grabbing someone). However, judging by the rest of the reviews, I'm clearly in the minority here. Most people seem to love it. I can only assume they're twelve year old boys. This film is rated 12A and never before has the rating been so applicable. If you want a better opinion of the film, ask a twelve year old boy as that's clearly who this film is aimed for. Give me Sigourney Weaver in a power-loader suit any day.