Where to begin on “Super 8?” It’s so clearly the kind of film directors tend to make, unmolested, after a major hit, the kind where someone really needed to be pulling the strings and smoothing the edges and seeing the forest through the trees. “But I’m J.J. f***ing Abrams.” (I’m sure he’s a splendid chap.)
It’s a nostalgia wank, but you already knew that. I find myself wondering if the pitch meeting was little more than Abrams promising Steven Spielberg that the famed director’s oeuvre would be all but gilded and bronzed right there on the screen. But that can be forgiven…if there’s a story.
And there’s not. Well, there’s not a complete story. There’s a lot of mayhem that feels injected into a coming-of-age yarn that itself needed some tinkering, and then there’s a climax that is meant to bring it all together, but ultimately whiffs worse than Begbie’s scratch in “Trainspotting.”
The “script” for this film is like a frame made of fishing wire, so flimsy the high concept stuff (which definitely could have used some more time in the oven) weighs it past the breaking point. I found myself looking for reasons throughout to just forgive the film its hastiness because there is some great child acting on display, some genuinely visionary filmmaking craft and an overall vibe I wanted to submit to.
But that climax. God. It might be one of the worst-conceived in a film of this sort. Sinks the whole ship. Reveals the stark-naked emperor.
What’s really unsettling is that the nostalgia thing — which could be on the dangerous precipice of becoming a trend — begins to feel exploitative after a while. When I saw an arbitrary Batman poster on a character’s wall, I started to wonder if Abrams has simply found the pulse, picked his spot and mined the flow. He might be a legitimate geek, but he also knows how to push the right geek buttons, whether they’re organic to his story or not.
I was going to get into spoiler stuff, but I can’t really drum up the interest to do so. There are so many unmotivated instances (“We have to get to the cemetery! Let’s go through this neighborhood so we can have an out-of-place set-piece and go into this house because we’re seeing all these other houses get destroyed!”), so much potential squandered (the central puppy-love story betrays Elle Fanning’s clear talent by establishing her as little more than a cipher — and don’t get me started on Coach Taylor) and such an undercooked narrative that it’s kind of depressing to wallow in the specifics.
(On the lens flares: I dug them in “Star Trek.” They served a purpose in that film, i.e., to give the impression that there was always something exciting happening just off screen. It was thoughtful. Here, they’re borderline self-referential, and simply don’t make stylistic sense.)
Ultimately I think Abrams might have done well to cut back on the sci-fi “bigness” of this project, accoutrement that literally serves no thematic purpose, and scale it back to his interesting characters and how their lives play out in this sort of Stephen King-like community. But the movie is what it is, and despite being a spectacle film that will draw attention and ought to have redeeming characteristics in that vein, I would have a hard time recommending “Super 8” at all. It’s far too unsatisfying on even the most basic storytelling level. It might not be a bad film (though I wonder), but it’s definitely not a good one.
(Readers who will no doubt ask about Oscar potential: It’ll be in a contender for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. Some consideration might circle Michael Giacchino’s score. I would discontinue talk of anything else whatsoever.)
ADDENDUM (6/10): The comments section indicates the level of umbrage some took with my perspective on this heavily anticipated film. I’m sensing that something I originally felt didn’t need saying, probably needs saying after all: I welcome any filmmaker’s vision that attempts to draw a line of tangible emotion through what would otherwise be little more than an entertainment. J.J. Abrams has succeeded in at least sparking that rarity this summer, and maybe others will look to this example — however not-quite-there I might believe it to be — as inspiration to go there, too. It’s a business of dollars, but I honestly believe it’s also a business where good intentions are more often there than not, so while I’d actually pay for a summer without something like “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” I’d equally pay for a summer WITH something like “Super 8.”
[Photo: Paramount Pictures]
Comments
142 responses to “Super h8ed it”
I saw the film last night and absolutely loved it. I thought the kids were the highlight. Great thrills, excitement, pacing, humor, and a lot of heart. It was exactly what I wanted it to be: a 1950’s monster movie meets Spielberg 80’s movies. And I thought Kyle Chandler was just fine in the movie. He didn’t have as much to do as the kids, but it wasn’t his movie – it was theirs. He played the part great.
Couldn’t have liked the movie more. It’s by no means perfect but I couldn’t find a time during it where I wasn’t thoroughly enjoying what I was seeing. In response to things like “We need to get to the cemetery!” and stuff — they’re kids. Kids jump to action and conclusions based on very little and it usually they just go with their gut most of the time.
I’m sorry Kris and some others didn’t care for it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion (has there ever been a movie that EVERYONE on the planet liked? No). Early critics are loving it, some early critics are not. Go see for yourself, that’s the whole point of seeing movies — isn’t it?
Bummed to hear you disliked it that much Kris. I’m still very much looking forward to seeing it this weekend in IMAX, and to any discussion with you afterwards. I remember us disagreeing starkly on Inglourious Basterds two years ago but having some great, intelligent debate on it. Hopefully similarly good discussion awaits after I see Super 8. I will say that as a huge Giacchino fan, I was bummed Paramount saw fit not to release the score the Tuesday before the theatrical release, as is standard. Instead, the release date is listed as June 28th, which saddens me immensely. Does his score get the same great results his Star Trek score did a couple years ago? That’s one of his best to this date, his work with JJ Abrams (and Abrams related projects like LOST) has been consistently great so far, so I’m really excited to hear how this score turns out.
Kevin: I would say that Giacchino’s entire body of work (throwing in Pixar as well) has been consistently great thus far.
I saw the film at the DGA last night and was utterly charmed by it. The cast was first-rate and I was completely engaged in the story. I disagree with this review wholeheartedly — it’s a charming, old-fashioned film with a lot of heart. Many reviews say it reminded them of “E.T.” — and that was true for me. The film captured an innocence that I haven’t seen or felt from recent movies. It was a really good time at the cinema and I can’t ask for anything more from a summer movie. I also disagree that film lacks awards potential in the primary categories — it’s a solid picture that has a pixie dust / charm quality about it that may very well capture the hearts of voters.
As far as the score goes, I wouldn’t say it’s as present as his Star Trek score was (definitely not as thematic).
I would say it’s a bit of his End Credits piece from Cloverfield meets Cocoon… if that makes any sense.
Still, it’s great work (but you don’t expect anything less from Giacchino)
@keylimee Not denegrating TV in anyway. I wish all movies had the wit and drama of The West Wing, just that JJ has no cinematic sensibility. Mi3 and Star Trek were mostly shot in close ups and mid shots with shaky cam and bad editing. It works on TV where the scale is smaller. I just shows a lack of understanding of film craft. imo.
“The film captured an innocence that I haven’t seen or felt from recent movies.”
I feel like this is the core of most praise, and unfortunately, I think it merely represents a starvation for as much. Because how do you reconcile how poorly the plot of the film breaks down? I love the innocence it captures, too, but it is stifled and drowned by half-baked sci-fi. What made E.T. grand is that, somehow, it dodged that scrutiny because everything was nicely played out in a matter-of-fact way. And — a big point — the alien in that film had a personality, which went a long way to folding the viewer in on the journey. In Super 8, those elements are so obviously green-light-safety, box-office-comfort junk that it’s just impossible for me to forgive and forget.
But I do recognize the intense desire in this film climate to do so.
***Mi3 and Star Trek were mostly shot in close ups and mid shots with shaky cam and bad editing.***
“Star Trek” was BRILLIANTLY edited. If Abrams can do anything, he’s a master at directing action and keeping a breakneck pace.
Dont listen to Kris Tapley! Hes a wanna be critic that doesnt know what hes talking about!
Yeah! Don’t listen to me! I’m a wannabe!
Kris,
I can see the point that the sci-fi plot isn’t fleshed out as much as it could be. However, I felt the movie gave just enough for us to understand and kept things simple since the movie was really about the kids and their journey and the reconciliation in the father/son relationship.
I can see why people would want more from a lot of the plotlines in the movie. More on the sci-fi elements, more on the father/son relationship, and others. But I felt the movie gave just enough on all fronts to satisfy and added up to a very well-rounded and entertaining movie.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I wanted more sci-fi. I’d say I wanted less, since obviously the filmmaker wasn’t concerned with it in the slightest.
Mm, a shame you didn’t like it, Kris. I’m still very much looking forward to it, I actually quite like JJ Abrams and I don’t think he’s anywhere near M.Night status (and I wouldn’t consider myself a scifi/comic book geek at all). Glad to hear that the child acting, the score, and the setpieces seem great all around, always nice to hear the good.
In now way is JJ Abrams anything like M. Night.
No movie could ever be as bad as Last Airbender… except for maybe Happening… or Lady in the Water… no, Airbender takes it (Prince of Persia was Gladiator in comparison)
I suppose I just find it typical jaded blogger cynicism for somebody to “hate” a movie like this.
“Plot,” meh. I’m all for films that can deliver on every account, whatever that means, and like a well told story as much as anyone, but I have to admit I tend to tune people out the moment they start talking about a film’s “plot” failing in one way or another. Television is another matter, being far more literary in nature, but cinema is a sensuous, lucid medium and I tend to value a work’s formal, visceral, emotional, and indeed intellectual (thematically or formally stimulated) properties over whether or not it’s s tidy, or even marginally well-assembled piece of plotting.
All that said, I find J.J. to be a fairly stimulating director, in both his hands-on TV stuff and his two films thus far, especially Star Trek which is as thrilling a slice of big budget filmmaking as has come around in years.
Are you kidding me Kristofer Shmapley, this movie embodies childhood perfectly while throwing in great sci-fi elements. Were you abused as a child or something, is that why you hated it because it reminded you of your tormented childhood. DONK!!!
My anticipation for this movie has dampened in the last few weeks, and so now this summer is looking as bleak as ever. First class was fine, and I’m excited as the next to see Captain America, but this year doesn’t seem the huge movie everyone is dying to see.
Oh shit, I’ve been donked!
Andrew M.
Yeah, agree. Will this summer provide us a great movie like Inception, District 9 or Dark Knight?
Super 8 will have mixed to positive reviews, haters will hate it and lovers will just like it.
If you take it the raunchy comedies, the comic-book movies and the sequels, there’s nothing else!
I’m betting on Cowboys & Aliens. How about you guys?
Another pan that, I think, gets the many, many issues with this movie:
http://moviecitynews.com/2011/06/review-super-8-spoilers-noted/
Kris, this thread is hilarious. Super-snark for the win!
As for the film, I’ll go see it simply to be able to participate in discussions about the film. I found “Star Trek” to be supremely mediocre, and have a suspicion I’ll find the same with this.
Maybe Kris left his glasses at home when he went to the movies. Along with his brains. DONK!
Nvm, just saw this movie in iMax and it was awful. What was the point of this movie??
I’m the donk now, but I’ll still take your whole stack and put you on tilt Kris!!
Tilted AND donked. What has the world come to?!
@Speaking English
“Star Trek” was BRILLIANTLY edited. If Abrams can do anything, he’s a master at directing action and keeping a breakneck pace.”
No, he’s a master at making you think you’re having a good time. What you’re actually getting is a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing. A great action director knows how to choreograph and stage action scenes (see Jim Cameron). JJ just shakes a camera about and then dumps the footage on an editor to sort out.
You can make somebody ‘think’ they’re having a good time? When they’re actually not? Only on the Internet.
The hyberbole in this thread from both sides on a film 99% of commenters haven’t seen is staggering.
A mate of mine was the first – and for at least an entire day, was the ONLY – person to have a negative review of “X-Men: First Class” on Rotten Tomatoes and he was barraged with over 100 comments telling him he had no taste, was an idiot, had no point being a critic and so on. All of which was before any of these people had even seen the movie, of course. They wanted to love the movie and hate on anybody who doesn’t think it’s the greatest thing ever.
Those people are – pardon the language – fucking stupid. They’re ruining the internet (hyperbole, but since they’re so prevalant in the online film world that I’m a part of it sometimes *feels* like they are)
What’s the difference between thinking you’re having a good time and having a good time?
“What’s the difference between thinking you’re having a good time and having a good time?”
My thoughts exactly
THANK YOU!! After a billion tv spots, trailers and whatnot of this movie I still found myself not really caring about it, then the guys at slashfilm and Collider saw it and began a J.J. Fest that felt more like a B.J. Fest to the Star Trek director and that bother me because the film doesn’t even feel like a summer hit.
So again I will follow your advise
Glenn – I agree that stupid people undermine the purpose of review sites, and yet I’m compelled to read through every comment of threads like these. There’s some interesting debate (“Is Star Trek a good movie?” is debatable, and I’m enjoying some people’s takes), but mostly it’s people who are angry that a web critic saw and didn’t like something they hope is good. Rottentomatoes is an even crazier phenomenom for whoever is unlucky enough to post the first negative review of something geek-preapproved.
That said, I appreciate any critic that continues on honestly without being tempted to disable comments, so thank you, Kris Tapley.
“What’s the difference between thinking you’re having a good time and having a good time?”
Ever been to a fireworks display. All the pretty fireworks – ooh, aah, but really your just a bit cold and wishing you were doing something else. My point was that Star Trek, and Mi3, were just firework displays – you think your watching something good but your just watching fireworks which you’ll have forgotten about 5 minutes after they’re done. They’re empty spectacle, and in my opinion, not worth a fraction of the ‘ink’ they’ve received. JJ’s a self promoter, a modern William Castle, and too many people are buying his BS.
“No, he’s a master at making you think you’re having a good time. What you’re actually getting is a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing. ”
Very good point. Cloverfield too, and now 8. movies which rely on the gimmick. found footage monster / star trek modern style… super 8 – “oh wasn’t it so nostalgiac/just like 80’s spielberg flicks!”
It’s as if people are only responding to the gimmick instead of whether or not the movie was actually good.
***All the pretty fireworks – ooh, aah, but really your just a bit cold and wishing you were doing something else.***
Um, no. Sorry. I enjoy fireworks quite a lot and never wished I was somewhere else. So, speak for yourself. “Star Trek” was one of the best, most entertaining times I’ve ever had in a theater.
How many people who have been putting the film down for it’s nostaligia can actually say they’ve seen the film. I doubt very many of you. I fear the internet is creating something of a react first, watch later mantality in film enthusiasts.
GH: Also, Abrams produced “Cloverfield”, so if your going to hark on the gimmick, blame Matt Reeves, he was the one who actually directed it.
Honest question,
Is this topic being held atop on purpose? If, so it’s pretty sad.
Also, Cloverfield was a very good film that was entirely satisfying to me.
Held atop? What do you mean? We just haven’t posted in a few days. And what’s sad about a review for the film opening at the end of the week being at the top of the site in the days leading up to said release?
Interestingly, Paramount has decided to give the film a limited release one day early in 325 theaters consisting of the 200+ Imax screens it is going to have, and some regular theaters in major markets. Seems a bit like an act of desperation to me after there have been reports that the film’s tracking is low, though I agree with the stance the studio took in the Deadline Hollywood article that a $25-30 million opening weekend (which would be on the low end of the tracking) really isn’t so bad when the film cost just $50 million.
It’s just that it’s been an uncommonly long time before there’s been any updates on the site. “Super h8ted” is a pretty strong response and every time I came back to the site it was the first thing I saw for two days now. I don’t agree with your take in the slightest but If it wasn’t intentional than I am sorry.
Meanwhile though the movie is sitting very comfortably at 83 percent and certified fresh rating on RT.
And these aren’t just online fan critics anymore either. That first wave is over and it’s doing pretty much as well. The movie has been receieved and it’s been received perfectly well by summer standards essentially.
And it’s another reminder than what Spielberg does when he directs himself is very very hard to pull off or replicate.
The “react first, watch later mentality” has a lot to do with the popularity of sites like this, where film fans can gage the general reaction to a new movie before laying eyes on it themselves. Readers are exposed to quality writing and thought-out reasoning, decide they agree, and then argue the point with only testimony as proof.
Incontention has been attempting to curb this occasionally gratifying, often confusing trend with the “tell us what you thought of” threads, which shift the focus from prognostication to emphasis on what’s actually been seen, to some success.
Entertainment Weekly just gave it an A and called it the best movie of “many summers”
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20483133_20483446,00.html
Some people are going to like the movie, some aren’t. A lot of people are liking the movie. While I have complete respect for Kris and his opinion (which are always articulated quite well), can we stop this back-and-forth bashing over Kris not liking the movie?
Save it for when he opens a thread for your own reviews. Then you guys can actually argue about a movie you’ve seen.
Maxim: It’s not all that uncommonly long for the off-season, especially one so thin on coverage (willfully, mind you) as this one has been. But I’m sorry you’re not greeted with a headline the past two days that is more agreeable for you.
As for the other critics chiming in, it has been noted. I think — as I’ve mentioned on Twitter, as well as above in some fashion — that there is a rush to approve of something that feels so against the quality-dearth grain of the season. I think something that has an ounce of feeling is bound to get an easier ride this time of year. And, in my opinion, it translates to hyperbolic praise (especially someone willing to call it the best movie of “many summers” — though the actual quote is “many years,” which is worse), but that’s my take.
I have no doubt a number of critics enjoyed the film, but when you read the reviews, there is an apologetic tone here and there for admitted issues therein. I guess I’m just not willing to extend that tone just because of when a film is released and what is released around it.
“It’s another reminder than what Spielberg does when he directs himself is very very hard to pull off or replicate.”
I do agree with this. And the best adjective I’ve read to describe the film ties in to that: “re-heated.”
I remember sitting in a movie theater a few months back, seeing the “Super 8” trailer, and asking “WTF?” I HATE movie trailers that just lob together the loudest parts of the film and call that a teaser. No, it’s annoying. I’d like to have at least some semblance of what the film is going to be about before I drop $10 bucks to see it.
So with that being said, since then I’ve had a bad taste in my mouth about “Super 8”. Then I found out J.J. Abrams was involved (I would’ve sworn this was all Steven Spielberg) and that sealed the deal: I’ll pass, thanks.
I was one of those rare souls who saw Star Trek and hated it with the vengeance. Overrated. MI:3 was just as bad too.
I’ll just say I truly enjoyed reading the back-and-forth banter on this comments thread. Pure comedy.
Well there go my expectations for Super 8.
Super 8 is managing quite a few raves, but Kris was also one of the very few bloggers last summer who gave a levelheaded early review of Inception.
This is getting beyond silly. Are we really trying to come up with theories as to why people are rating the movie higher than they should?
C’mon now. People clearly dig the movie, it’s not just getting 6/10 reviews across the board that are compiling to give it a high percentage. The Metacritic rating is quite high, and the average rating on RT is quite high.
I’m not saying you’re wrong for not liking it, but I think you should give the positive opinions as much respect as you expect for your negative opinion.
It’s not really a singular “theory,” Brock:
http://goo.gl/mxMQg
And it’s not really a theory at all. Just reading what’s in the reviews. No malice intended.
I am sure that deep down, there is a young Kristopher Tapley inside of you (the one who once was hoping for a lightsaber for Christmas) who Super L8ved it :)