Super 8

Super Sci Fi - Super Scenario Super Special Effects
Super 8, PG-13, ****, Joel Courtney, Kyule Chadler, Elle Fanning, Riley Griffiths, Noah Emmerich, Ron Eldard: Director and Writer: J.J. Abrams. Length: 112 minutes.

This film written and directed by J.J. Abrams captures the life styles of young adolescence and with their frustrations, fun, and innocence. Their purity helps to make the world a better place.
It is set in the 70’s with the youngsters using 8 Millimeter cameras to create their own movie. The audience is exposed to pop music from that time period; C.B radios – Breaker One Nine - if anyone remembers that sort of thing.
Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) just lost his mother. She was in a horrible accident at work. His dad Jack (Kyle Chandler) is a Deputy Sheriff. They are trying to deal with this tragic situation.
Charles (Riley Griffiths) is an alpha friend of Joe who wants to direct a Zombie movie. Joe joins him in this endeavor along with Cary (Ryan Lee) who really likes fireworks. Alice (Elle Fanning) is the female in this adventure. Of course, two of the guys are star struck over Alice. Elle is Dakota Fanning’s sister.
As a class sponsor several years at MCHS, we did a satire about Saturday Night Live with some of the seniors who wanted to participate. A fun time was had by all. The participants enjoyed it, and I enjoyed directing and helping with it just as much as they did. A friend of mine from college had a Super 8 camera, and the film was produced, directed, and filmed on location at MCHS. Of course, we imitated the old film “Silent Movie,” because we wrote the dialogue of what the actors were saying on large cards, so the audience would know what was going on.
“Super 8” will remind viewers of their personal episodes while growing up. Play acting, using one’s imagination, and creativity along with camaraderie and disagreements among childhood friends.
We see a young man with braces, another with a firecracker obsession, a tough leader, a guy who throws up occasionally, a young damsel in distress, and a youngster who understands that sensitivity and kindness gets more honey than cruelty. Of course, this youngster has the right idea about helping others.
The story revolves around the young would-be filmmakers trying to get their Zombie film made. While filming next to a railroad track, an accident occurs, and the audience may want to take a friend to see what happens, because the viewers will see one heck of a train wreck. Some of the best special effects I have seen in a while. It is not a short scene either.
At this point, some really unusual things begin to happen around the small community. Just think E.T phone home with anger.
The innocence, curiosity, and kindness of the young filmmakers help to save the day. Childhood for me was extremely fun and creative. As we get older, some of our innocence may be lost. Hopefully, we can hold onto enough of it to make the world a better place.
I recommend this film for a great story, and a walk down memory lane reminding us of when we were naive children. Later in life, we begin to learn about all of the evil in the world and not fully understanding it. We just wanted to have fun with our friends, and learn through new experiences. We did not realize what was going to happen in the adult future. It was about helping others because it was the right thing to do, and we wanted to. Of course, some of us did get into a little mischief.