Released in 2011, JJ Abrams’ super 8 is a powerful sci-fi movie that is often underappreciated. In 1979, a group of teens decide to shoot a zombie movie on a Super 8 camera, so they can enter a competition. During filming, they witness a train derail and destroy the warehouse, releasing mysterious white cubes and a strange creature. In the days following the accident, their town also experiences strange disappearances and electrical outages, before it is taken over by a military investigation. Joe (Joel Courtney) must lead his group of friends to discover the truth about the alien and save their city. Despite the strong reviews it received upon release, the film has been forgotten in the past decade, and continues to be underrated. Here’s why this great movie deserves more recognition.
A wonderful sci-fi action from the heart
super 8 is a great mix of sci-fi, action, humor and heart. The action sequences, especially the train crash, are excellent. The train crash scene is shrouded in noise and destruction. You really feel like you are watching the train crash along with the characters. Coming early in the movie, it turns everything on, and sets off the mystery.
It also keeps the sci-fi elements simple and suspenseful. For example, we don’t see the alien right away, adding to the mystery of why people and electronic devices are gone. There is also another twist with the alien, who is seen as a threat for most of the movie. The group learns that the alien was captured by the government years ago, and used in a series of experiments. A scientist befriended the alien and tried to free him, but was killed. Although the alien wreaks havoc on the city, it does so in an attempt to rebuild its ship and return home. It changes things up from a straightforward alien invasion, and builds emotions in the story. SlashFilm shared that Abrams built these feelings into the design of Alien; He chooses larger eyes that give the alien a human appearance to express emotion.
It also manages to get a subtle emotional touch. Joe, grieving his mother’s death, wears a locket to remember her. He is able to communicate with the alien, who has been kidnapped and experimented on, and just wants to go home. He tells the alien that although “bad things happen”, you can still go on with life. His locket is then pulled into the aliens’ ship, where it forms the final piece and enables the alien to return home. Joe and the alien are able to heal from the past, which is done perfectly. It’s a quiet moment that isn’t overly sentimental, but still provides simple, powerful encouragement to keep living.
Classic nostalgic feel
In recent years, there have been many shows and movies that evoke nostalgia, particularly for the 1980s. located in 1979, super 8 Perfectly captures the classic and nostalgic teen summer feel. Abrams was heavily influenced by the work of Steven Spielberg, who also served as a producer on the film. Speaking with Forbes, he called the movie “a tribute and a Stephen’s-eye movie,” and hoped it would feel like part of “Amblin’s Library.”
The classic spirit of those movies comes through super 8. It gives kids shooting a movie about zombies and riding their bikes around town with carefree fun ideas; At the same time, like many children in similar films before them, they also have to save everyone. It’s nostalgic for viewers who lived through the same time period, but equally enjoyable for those who didn’t. In a similar way, it is something that all age groups can find associated with. Space plot aside, it’s a coming-of-age movie, helmed by fun and down-to-earth characters. He has a sense of humor, wonder and charm that brings charm to all viewers. While there are obvious Spielberg elements of nostalgia, super 8 Also able to succeed on its own, as a tale of friendship and survival.
Great deals
Finally, the movie succeeded as much as it did because of its great performances, especially from the young cast. As Joe, Courtney is considered the leader of his group of friends, and the film focuses on his outstanding performance. He’s kind and sensible, dealing with the loss of his mother and the sweet hope of his crush on Alice (Elle Fanning). Rounding out the ensemble are Charles (Riley Griffiths), Carrie (Ryan Lee), Preston (Zach Mills) and Martin (Gabriel Basso). They all bring humor and a sense of realism to the film. They argue and joke with each other, genuinely feeling like friends. They’re also down-to-earth teens. Curious and brave, but also mean and far from perfect. They carry the film cheerfully and friendly.
Aside from the kids, another great performance from Kyle Chandler as Joe’s father Jack. They are at odds for much of the movie, and are still struggling after the loss of Joe’s mother. He also dislikes Joe being friends with Alice, as he blames her father, Louis (Ron Eldard), for his wife’s death. Despite this, when the city is in danger, Jack realizes what his son means to him, and teams up with Lois to save the children. Chandler shows conflict and tension throughout the movie, and it makes his reunion with Joe that much more rewarding. It also highlights the human side in this sci-fi movie, which is what makes it so great.
