Super 8

If there was a competition for the most Steven Spielberg looking film not directed by the beard himself then Super 8 would win hands down. It’s all here in spades. Young love, childhood friendships, dysfunctional families, tragic death, redemption and, of course, aliens. OK, Spielberg is the producer here, but its JJ Abrams in the director’s chair. It’s a good combination though as they have both put together an unashamedly old fashioned bit of fun that will remind anyone over the age of 30 of afternoons spent in their local flea pit watching matinees. In the film (set in 1972) we follow a group of friends who are making a cheap horror film on a Super 8 camera, when they happen to be shooting a scene near a railway track when a spectacular train crash occurs littering the outskirts of their small town with mangled wreckage. However, things take a further twist when the army begin to clean up the wreckage (strong-arming the locals aside) and odd things begin to occur within the town. What was on that train? Abrams film has many positives, not least the performances he gets from his (unknown) young charges. They may all be stereotypes (fat kid, geeky kid etc) but the acting is great and the group are highly believable as a collective, with the banter flying between them causing many a laugh. The whole film itself also has a nice line of comedy running through it, though Abrams also gives us a few tense scenes aided by the decision to not show whatever was on that train to the audience until late on. The main negative that can levelled against the film is that is this just a load of nothing really? Despite a bit of menace, there’s never any doubt that the protagonists are in any real danger and things aren’t helped by the films incomprehensible conclusion (plot-wise). Overall though, whilst it’s unlikely this will be a Goonies for a new generation, it’s still a memorable bit of fun, aided by the showing of the kids amusing kitsch horror film during the end credits.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

Lacking the hard edge that would have made this a classic, it’s still entertaining fun for all. Rating: 7/10.