Fuzzy nostalgic, inescapable homage.

Rating: Null/10 (13 August 2011)

A group of children filming their own Super 8 movie as train derails find the army descending on their town as the crash has released a dangerous presence.
Even though Steven Spielberg produced Poltergeist and Goonies, they oozed his early hallmarks and Super 8 is no exception. The portrayal of family life, some happy, some dysfunctional, children's seemingly off the cuff dialogue and so on. Director/writer J.J. Abrams encompasses and emulates Spielberg. But it doesn't stop there, like E.T or more so Jaws we only get glimpses of the main creature and then a reveal late in the film.
J.J Abrams is no stranger to mystery, intrigue, tension and fear as was seen with Cloverfield and it's promotion. But what Abrams manages to capture; that few can, is the fuzzy nostalgia of a different time, in this case the 1970's. Excellent props, interiors, the locations and music take you back or place you in the past. These settings are cemented thanks to some first rate child performances including Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney who's emotional performances heighten the film giving it more credibility. Kyle Chandler plays the father/Deputy out of his depth and dealing with the sudden and tragic lost of his wife perfectly and the supporting cast are perfect.
The otherworldly story is not the main focus as such and similar to E.T it's the plights and friendships that are important. Abrams intentionally or unintentionally dilutes his own talent with an inescapable homage. Nevertheless, Abrams manages to give Super 8 the edginess and the magic of Steven Spielberg's earlier films in one nice neat package but with todays effects.
The only negative is that given the aforementioned Super 8 hasn't it's own identity, but with the warmth and wonder it generates that can't be a bad thing. Recommend.