Movie Review: Super 8

June 15, 2011 Wednesday
Glorietta 4

MTRCB Rating: GP
Genre: Science fiction

Starring:
Joel Courtney
Elle Fanning
Kyle Chandler
Ron Eldard
Riley Griffiths

Super 8 is a sci-fi adventure movie. A group of kid film makers witnessed the derailment of a military train. They found out that this was not an accident. The train contained strange little white cubes and a strange lifeform escaped from the wreckage. The friends decided to keep it for themselves. Mysterious deaths and disapperances happened to the town. Soon, the entire town was ruled by the military forcing the people to evacuate to a safer place. The town became a war zone between the military and the alien. But when one of their friends was abducted by the alien, they must head back to town, pass raging guns, tanks and missiles, and go to the alien hideout to save her. When they met the alien face to face, they realized all he wanted was the parts of his spaceship (in the miltary's possession except one) so he could go home.

Positive: The film stars adorable kids but brilliant actors. The war effects were jawdropping. I was feeling nostalgic while watching this film. It was like I was watching old-school The Goonies and ET rolled into one. The movie mixed light drama, humor and seat-jumping thrills. It has one of my favorite actors, Kyle Chandler of Early Edition TV series, who was superb in this film. I like it when kids are the main focus of the film, let alone the saviors of the world.

Negative: This film has no new material. I have watched some like this years ago. It was predictable with a feel-good ending. The alien was not consistent. There were times that he was cruel, all-hell-breaks-loose, demonic creature, then it transitioned into a kind, compasionate lifeform. It would be better if it just sticked to one character. Maybe the film makers inserted the latter because this movie is supposed to be for kids.

Overall: This film is an enjoyable and entertaining sci-fi movie for kids and adults alike. I like it.

Rating: