An homage to Steven Spielberg first and a sci-fi movie second, JJ Abram’s Super 8 is completely open about its source material. A cocktail of The Goonies, Gremlins, ET: The Extra Terrestrial, with a touch of Iron Giant and a generous splash of Cloverfield, there was a danger of Super 8 invoking the kind of blind nostalgia that has tricked audiences into believing anything to be great simply because they’re reminded of their childhood – the kind of nostalgia that has conned the world into thinking Transformers was ever a good cartoon, let alone a good movie.
But while adults may indeed spend Super 8 swooning over the Spielberg touches – the shots of the night sky, the young characters’ endearing moxy, the notion that when you’re 13, a bike is all you need – underneath that there is also a genuinely lovely film for neophytes to enjoy.
Set in 1979, 13-year-old Joe’s (Joel Courtney) mother has just died, and his police deputy father (Kyle Chandler) is struggling to cope. A regular wide-eyed and innocent Dawson Leery (also a Spielberg-obsessive, well played Abrams), Joe finds his escapism in the form of his friends’ super 8 zombie film. While on location, the gang witness a train crash that releases an alien creature into their small town, and proceeds to wreak havoc on the small community.
The relatively unknown young cast are all impressive, and their hilarious banter has the naturally impatient, sulky and mocking tone of kids playing grown-up. Courtney might as well be the Spielberg-obsessive Dawson Leery for all his wide-eyed innocence, and Riley Griffiths provides comic relief by reprising Jeff Cohen’s role as the fat kid from The Goonies. But Elle Fanning is the one who really shines, bringing lightness as well as an emotional maturity to her role as ET’s Drew Barrymore all grown up.
As for the action, it’s completely thrilling, and thankfully eschews 3D, though Abram’s obsession with lens flare does raise its ugly head again. There’s no need for it – with this much fun, action and heart at the core of the film, gimmicks aren’t necessary.
Oh – and don’t dare leave without watching the credits. Enjoy.