Super 8

Reviewed by MELISSA BERMINGHAM

Movie: Super 8
Starring: Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning
Directed by: J.J. Abrams

From the moment Super 8 begins you know you are in for a treat. Abrams starts the movie in a dramatic style that instantly engages the audience. It moves quickly ahead four months to when the story truly begins. This is a technique seen more often in recent movies than is necessary, although Super 8 is given a strong foundation because of it. The young actors performed beyond their years matching the talent of the adults within the film (even outdoing some). Super 8 has a wonderful cast of believable characters who all have amazing on screen presence. These characters are the driving force within this story.

For the record the plot behind Super 8 is not ground-breaking but it doesn’t need to be. Its beauty is in the art of the storytelling. Each scene is wonderfully shot and pieced together with the help of well-timed special effects. Throughout the film relationships between the characters show true depth and enhance the emotion surrounding each scene. Abrams has a unique gift for storytelling; even the smallest details within Super 8 are done purposefully.

As the story unfolds, it mostly follows along the children’s plotlines as they try to understand what has happened within their town. Other times it will show the perspective of townsfolk or members of the police force creating a consistent pace throughout the film. The 5 children are making their own zombie movie (on super 8 film tape), so one of the characters discusses what makes a good movie; this provides a bit of subtle hint of where the plotlines are headed. With the right amount of heart, action, comedy and suspense Super 8 sets an example of great storytelling.

#Super 8