JJ Abrams' valentine to Spielberg sci-fi suburbania is a perfect balm for those craving the magic of the movies!

Rating: 9/10 (27 June 2011)

SUPER 8 (2011) ***1/2 Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee, Gabriel Basso, Zach Mills, Ron Eldard, Noah Emmerich, Glynn Turman, Richard T. Jones, Jessica Tuck, Joel McKinnon Miller. Filmmaker JJ Abrams' valentine to his executive producer Steven Spielberg's sci-fi hey day and all creature features of his youth are connected in this lively and entertaining sci-fi dramedy circa 1979 where a group of young kids, while filming a zombie flick for a contest, witness a horrific (and one humdinger of a) train wreckthat unleashes an alien beastie and a military embroiled conspiracy hellbent on covering it up. The underpinnings of a coming of age/father-son bonding thru tragedy/first pangs of love occur synchronically as the goosepimply suspense is deftly applied (thank you composer Michael Giacchino's John Williamsian score) and the neat-o factor of feeling like a kid again pricleless. Kudos to the creator and his mentor for scoring some more movie magic for those who crave the wonder of the movies! BONUS: Stay thru the credits to check out the kids' nifty short subject; it's a gas!