Paramount is rolling out J.J. Abrams’s “Super 8” 24 hours ahead of schedule today with an IMAX-heavy release in over 300 theaters. That’s the #Super8Secret, and it reads to me as a desperate, though perhaps smart attempt to get some high-dollar ticket sales in the bank for a low-tracking film in advance of the weekend. Whether some like it or not, I have my own feelings on this one. But so will you. Since it’s making its way to the public today, we might as well jump the gun on this post, too. So cut loose with your thoughts below when you get around to the film this weekend.
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55 responses to “Tell us what you thought of ‘Super 8’”
Loved it, as did pretty much everyone in my audience including older women. The adventure stuff works, the scary moments are tense, the banter between the friends are funny, and the emotional aspects really hit home. I really wanted to cry several times, particularly at the wonderful ending. There’s plenty of Spielberg in it, but it’s its own movie. Definitely the best I’ve seen this year. (One of the better films of the past several honestly.)
After re-reading Kris’ review and watching that nearly seven minute clip several times today, the jury is still out on whether or not to see it.
I’ll let the reader reviews aide my decision.
I’d share if I lived in an area with an IMAX screen. Although those who have seen have told me that it was like eating Neopolitan ice cream. Not entirely satisfied by the ice cream but none of the flavors are objectionable.
Fitz, the ice cream analogy is perfect. The film was less than satisfying, certainly not objectionable but not a memorable experience – a mish-mash homage of films before that did little to open the heart or engage the brain. All the elements were fine, but the “story” had no resonance. Everything had a familiar echo, but did nothing to reveal an overall purpose. Action sequences loud and frantic. Check. Adorable quirky adolescents and preteens, check. Scary elements directed well. Check. The most engaging part of the film? The credits.
I liked it with reservations, in particular the script had some cliche character beats and cheesy dialogue. But there were times it captured the retro Spielberg vibe very well, the technical aspects of the film were solid all around, and the train crash and end credits stinger are two great scenes.
My favorite popcorn movie of the summer so far. Anyone who would trash this and say “Thor”, or “PotC” was okay needs some serious help. It’s no Best Picture nominee or anything, but it is a fun ride (I saw the sneak on Monday) with suprising moments of heart. I like the confrontation scene between father and son and the “Mom’s home movie” scene with Elle Fanning. It had humanity in spades and that seperates it from the noise and junk of most summer movies these days. I didn’t realise how much I missed these kinds of films until I saw this one.
Watched it in IMAX today with 5 other people (I guess the secret early release was too secret).
A lot of it works but a lot of it also unfortunately doesn’t work. When “The Case” ended, the two people with me both said “that was actually much better than Super 8.” Snark aside, it’s true. Had the film been about the kids in the vein of Goonies, Monster Squad, Explorers, ET, it would have been quite special. Instead it turned into a hackneyed alien/monster movie that made little sense. One minute the alien is good and misunderstood, the next it’s murdering people. It goes back and forth between the two. And there’s the whole issue of the creature design being leftover bits from Cloverfield.
I don’t know, I guess I’d recommend it on the strength of the story of the kids. But I’d sooner just recommend people rewatch the 80s films JJ Abrams photocopied.
The alien has been tortured for 20 years, of course it’s going to be angry. It really only goes after and kills the Air Force guys. When it attacks the people in the cave, it’s because they could disrupt his stuff. He just wants to leave the stinking planet at all costs.
That’s a reasonable explanation that might be explored in the Super 8 novelization. But it’s not up on the screen. It’s as if JJ wanted the perfect mixture of the alien from ET and shark from Jaws and it got muddled.
The sci-fi stuff is just really problematic in the film, there’s no way around it.
Actually Rashad, it also kills innocent people – think about some of the early sequences (dont want to spoil any plot “points”)…
I only remember the clerk. Everyone else seemed to be taken to the lair, though only two became awake (sheriff and the roller girl).
Regardless, its behavior isn’t unfounded. It’s lashing out after torture, and that’s perfectly understandable. Just because it’s capable of empathy as well, doesn’t mean it’s a problem in the story. When Joe tells him to just let go, the alien, indirectly, does the same for him. The best thing about the alien, is JJ used its actions, and not its design to garner sympathy.
The problem again is that it’s not up on the screen. What we have instead is a monster randomly kidnapping/killing people, both military and civilian, with the “misunderstood intelligent monster who just wants to go home” angle thrown sloppily.
The smarter decision would have been to either have the kids defeat the evil monster in a unique and creative way, shout outs to Goonies, Monster Squad, etc. OR have the monsters actions be completely misunderstood. Instead of killing and eating people, have it, I don’t know, do something else with them. Disguise his true motives until the big reveal. It could have even killed military personnel to “protect” the kids, which would have provided a bit of excitement and wonder.
Instead we clumsily get ET with Jaws’ teeth which fails on both counts.
It just goes to show that a cheap and lazy photocopy of Spielberg’s finest work is just that, cheap and lazy.
How is that not on screen? Woodward tells the kids and even the air force guys what they did to it, that he formed a link with the creature and that all he wanted to do was leave. It was his whole reason to try and free him.
It’s not “smarter” to have it the way you want. One of the best aspects of the movie was that it was about the kids making their movie first, and the monster stuff happens secondarily. When the two stories converge towards the end it works because of the connection Joe has built with Elle. (And the fact you’ve spent so much time with the group just hanging out.) You still get that kid adventure thrill without having it be the whole picture.
Clearly “all he wanted to do was leave” wasn’t all he wanted to do. He reigned death and terror upon the small town. Kidnapping and eating people who had nothing to do with the military. The psychic link reveal is a non-starter and when it reappears at the end of the film, it’s unconvincing, rushed, and actually quite lame.
The monster stuff is indeed secondarily, so secondarily that it becomes pointless and muddled whenever it pushes the kids story to the background. Super 8 is a movie that tries to be two things at once and fails because of it.
I thought it was a completely charming classic with a modern feel. Totally enjoyable. My wife and kids (9 and 12) also loved it in equal measure so I think that it will play to a wide breadth of audiences. I actually think this film has the kind of elements that Academy members will love – there’s an innocence to it, beneath the excitement and the thrills, it’s just not jaded or cynical. There’s nothing offensive in it. It’s good old-fashioned pure fun entertainment appropriate for all ages really (except the little ones might get scared of the crash and the monster, though there were kids younger than mine in the theater and they seemed just fine). I particularly enjoyed the fresh faces of the kids in the cast — they are real finds, all very talented young actors who held my attention throughout. I highly recommend seeing it, and going in to have a good time — you will.
I loved it! I think the first half is perfect, but the second half a has few flaws with some instances of lazy writing and a lack of imagination regarding the alien’s big plans. However, the story was never anything less than engaging, the kids were wonderful (especially Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning who are awards worthy), and the effects and sound design are used for maximum effect. It’s heartfelt, thrilling, and touching. I recommend it.
Good year for good kid performances, it seems. “Tree of Life” and now this.
Loved it. Wept thrice. The ending killed me.
After the conversation with Elle Fanning where he talks about the way his mother looked at him and understood him, that psychic link-up scene at the end just moved me all the more. And then the locket…that symbol of love and devotion…he lets go so that the injured beast could take that back with him, something pure and beautiful, because not everything is awful and Noah Emmerich-y. Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Loyal – The way I understood it, YES he was eating people because he was a carnivore (didn’t they feed him huge things of meat while he was captured?), but he was also kidnapping the people who caught him looking for parts to rebuild his spaceship. He already learned to distrust humanity, since the Air Force caged him up and took his ship apart. I like that the creature was actually a little fucked up, it made it more…realistic, I guess, though it seems strange to use that word in this context.
Oh, spoilers above. Should note that.
The script had numerous problems (Why is Woodward willing to kill dozens of people on the derailed train just so the alien monster can go home? Why does the alien monster need a pep talk from the kid in order to assemble his spaceship, which he apparently knows how to do unassisted? Why is the kid so charitable toward an alien monster that is eating his fellow townspeople? Why is the alien monster tying up people in his cave–for a late-night snack later?). There’s really no context for this story in 2011 America (Julia Phillips stated straight out the “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was about Watergate). And I’m sick of the Evil-American-Military trope in all these movies aimed at American children and teens. But I have to admit the scenes between Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning were lovely.
I’m tired of friendly/misunderstood aliens. Especially after the destruction and death that it caused. I dont care the fact that its actions were technically “reasonable” because, well just that, I didn’t care. I wanted to see the damn thing killed. There was nothing to make me feel sympathetic for it, so if thats what Abrhams wanted it was a failure. Just because our hero felt empathy doesn’t mean I did. Kill the monster. Next.
Anyway, it was more or less the best thing all year, which despite sounding like a compliment about the movie, is actually a negative about the film industry. If this did come back in Spielberg’s day it would just be another face in the crowd. But the fact that it took 6 months to get to something at this level, well, its disappointing. I did have fun, I did reminisce, but its just in the unfortunate position of being the best film in a horrible movie year (so far)
I didn’t like it at all. Just the fact that there was a monster/alien in it was enough to annoy me. Can JJ do a TV show or film without monsters? I was hardly engaged during the film outside of scenes with Elle Fanning who is clearly along with her sister a natural.
I can’t believe the best part of the movie I saw last weekend was a cameo and the best part of the movie I saw this weekend was the credits. I want to see a movie where the best part of it is the movie.
It was a great and fun surprise. I went in knowing almost nothing and that’s the best feeling. I loved the beginning with the kids making the movie, reminded me of when I was younger, then it did drop down from there but it still was a fun movie to watch.
I’ll give this movie a B- but I think I’m being generous. I felt like it tried to combine the sensibilities of War of the Worlds with E.T., and it felt a bit off.
And here’s how I picture Abrams in post-production:
“Wow, Elle is so great, but I feel like this scene is missing something. I got it: let’s insert a lens flare cutting right across her face. Then it’ll be perfect!”
I loved it. I think the second act gets a little off track, where the kids’ story and the alien story really threaten to split into two completely unrelated films, but the third act brings it back together. I would’ve liked to see some of the alien story fleshed out a bit more, but these are minor quibbles with an otherwise brilliant whole. As an alien mystery story, it’s a bit light, but as a story about friendship, compassion, and forgiveness, it soars. I can’t wait to see it again.
***but its just in the unfortunate position of being the best film in a horrible movie year (so far)***
Really? Because I’ve only seen three films so far this year and I can safely say this summer’s crop handily outdoes last summer’s, without any doubt in my mind. Maybe you haven’t seen “Midnight in Paris” or “The Tree of Life” yet, but those two films alone trump most of the films last summer had to offer.
The more I think about this film, the less I like it, and its charm is wearing off now that some time has passed since I saw it. I read an article in last weekend’s LA Times where Abrams mentioned that the kids’ story and the alien/monster story were two separate film ideas that he combined into one film, and it kind of shows. The two ideas don’t cohere all that well in the film.
Also, I just finished re-watching War of the Worlds, and Abrams doesn’t hold a candle to Spielberg.
Speaking English: You’ve only seen three new films this year (and two of them in the past month)? Forgive me, but I’m surprised.
Three 2011 films, yes. I’ve rented and seen many older films this year, however.
average joe: you really think “War of the Worlds” is a good comparison to make? That’s hardly one of Spielberg’s shining moments.
War of the Worlds gets unfairly dismissed. I think that film is packed with exciting visual ideas.
I agree. I think it’s great, and captures the fear, panic, and the will to survive during an attack. It’s kind of weirdly dismissed as a typical disaster film, when it avoids the tropes of them, and Spielberg deliberately preys upon post-9/11 fears.
Speaking English,
Well, think of how much worse Abrams would look in comparison to Spielberg at his absolute best.
Although, I do agree with Kris.
Some moments in War of the Worlds rank right up there with anything The Beard’s ever done.
I wasn’t really dismissing “War of the Worlds,” as I agree there are many parts of it that work quite well. But then there are just as many parts that don’t. How can anyone defend THAT ending? And the children characters are just utterly querulous.
The kids are understandable. The girl is scared and knows her father is incapable of keeping them protected. The son simply wants to fight back. It recalls all those people who signed up for the army after 9/11. The anger that leads to retaliation. Though Koepp said he had Palestinian teenagers in mind, who don’t fully grasp the consequences of their actions.
Yeah the ending is kind of weak but it’s from the book.
The son’s actions were just totally lame and felt completely inauthentic to me. The kid also didn’t do a very good job at selling it either, I thought. I just grew tired of him and the perpetually ear-piercing siren that was Dakota Fanning.
FLASHING SIGN: THIS IS NOT A VALUE JUDGMENT
I’ll agree the son thing is a major problem for me. I’m always fascinated that it has strong defenders. Not in a bad way. Frankly, kind of how I’m fascinated Super 8 as a whole has strong defenders. It’s a real line drawn. Nothing wrong with that. It reassures there’s passion, and at this time in Hollywood history, that counts as already batting .500.
I loved Super 8 immensely! Would totally make a great double-feature with X-Men: First Class, my other favorite film this summer. I loved the performances from the kids and the visual effects! I found the film to be very engaging! I was hooked from the beginning and I was never bored!
I loved it. I had a few problems with it, particularly how the dad’s struggles with becoming sort-of-acting-sheriff didn’t play out as well as it could have, especially since it parallels his suddenly having to play dad storyline. All in all though, I thought it was a LOT of fun and the story had me choke up a few times.
Elle Fanning deserves an FYC campaign too.
^^Frank Lee’s comments were really sound.^^
It’s a B/B-minus. Kids are solid, but I really wish they didn’t go the supernatural route here, because it turned Super 8 into another loud explosive mess. And does the military/govt. always have to be so one-note antagonistic? Noah Emmerich reminded me of Albert Brooks’ character in The Simpson’s Movie. Many positives, many negatives, but the touching elements regarding the adolescent romance worked really well for me.
Footnote: Does anyone else think that the bridge scenes in “Kwai” and “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” are about ten times as effective as all the explosions from any giver summer blockbuster slate combined?
No. I was surprised that kids were so close to real explosions.
I read an article on the HR website which looks ahead at the upcoming awards season and states that Super 8 could possibly be the type of film included in the expanded field of ten best picture nominees. I realize the writer was having some fun in looking ahead in an otherwise well written piece, but are we really to the point where a writer for a major industry trade publication references a film like this when discussing the possible best of the year?
I pretty much agree with Chris on this one. I saw it yesterday as the options in my area are fast becoming very limited. The kids were good-no problem there. But the script is built around a burgeoning puppy-love story and a captured alien wishing to “go home” who has been kept captive by the military/government seeking evidently to benefit by gaining knowledge of its technology. While the early part of the film looks promising while clearly evoking a earlier era, the narrative soon goes off course and devolves into cliched territory. And what’s with the alien? Definitely not a good thing for those arachnophobes among us.
To the surprise of no one, the film is calibrated precisely to appeal to the typically large and broad summer film audiences. That is one reason why a film like this doesn’t really take off. The tone and content must be geared toward the youngsters, and the ubiquitous happy ending is paramount. The explosions and mayhem are also integral to this formulaic product. If the director and producers had taken the early part of the film and continued in a direction where the human story elements were further explored and developed, the film could have been a better product.
Seeing Super 8 tonight. But on War of the Worlds: I think it’s VERY underrated. Not too many movies have scared me (as of recent years, and I don’t watch many “horror” movies). And Kris is right, awesome visual ideas in WotW, as well.
I disagree with your review of the film, Kris, but I’m not going to be a douche about it like many others. I thought it was decent. I hope you can agree with this though: Kyle Chandler is the best TV dad of all time and he made me realize how much i missed FNL.
Speaking English:
I have yet to see Tree of Life as its closest theater to me is 30 minutes away. As for Midnight in Paris, I don’t plan on watching it, Woody isn’t my cup of tea. The point being, even if those turn out to be home runs, all the other films I’ve seen this year (besides Super 8….kind of….) have turned out to be major disappointments. So its not just that there are few great movies, but there aren’t much good ones.
“Super 8” is at the very least, a perfect formal exercise, and mabye nothing more. Having just re-read Kris’ review, I can appreciate what he’s getting at (and glad that someone’s making a point to do so, even when it’s unpopular and needlesly bording on detrimental). However, in the end, I don’t know that I agree with a single one of his talking points.
As I was absorbing the movie, I literally couldn’t pinpoint a single flaw in the film. It tells an interesting and personal story well, not a single performance isn’t perfectly cast, the characters are all multi-dimensional (I have to strongly disagree with Kris, especially regarding Fanning and Chandler, that their characters are ciphers) and every shot is executed with storybook perfection. Having said that, however, I can’t deny that I was a little underwhelmed by the entire thing. There were moments, by virtue of the strong acting, where I was emotionally moved by the film. But through parts of it, I just felt like Abrams was taking us through the motions.
I think and hope the film will work better on a second viewing, after the hype dies down. I think this is a perfect example of hype being the enemy of a film. There seems to be this notion of “blockbuster salvation”, if that makes any sense, being thrust on the film, which it never, and being an intimate blockbuster as it is, probably couldn’t ever, deliver on. I do hope Abrams continues to use his clout in Hollywood to continue to make summer blockbusters in this vein, as we need films like this to serve as the antidote to arbitrary crap like “Pirates” and “Transformers”.
Also, I hope Giacchino gets a nomination for his score. I doubt he will, as it’s not nearly as catchy as some of his other work, but the film itself is a perfect showcase of his skillset. There’s sentiment (Up), wonder (Star Trek) and supernatural terror (Cloverfield) al wrapped up in one package.
Just saw it. Solid. I enjoyed it more while watching it than now in reflection.
The kids are fantastic. Loved them all. Really dug every scene with Fanning & Courtney.
I was genuinely scared/jolted/engaged during the handful of action/thriller sequences.
I chuckled quite a bit at the kid banter.
My theater was really into it (mostly adults). And my 14 yr. old brother tells me he thought it was really cool.
All that said, though I have no HUGE issues (wasn’t wild for the blending of poignant child adventure/crazed alien narrative) … I just left satisfied, but not overwhelmed.
Furthermore, perhaps it’s cinema fatigue, but — is anyone else finding most movies lately to be fine, not bad, nothing great. I feel desenstized lately to awful or great movies. I’m finding most of them to be depressingly ‘down the middle’.
JJ1: It may simply be that you have become more adept at weeding out the awful movies from consideration before even seeing them. As for the great movies: they have always been in short supply.
Excellent point, Frank. I know STINKERS when I see them. I know WOWS when I see them. It’s deciphering the plethera of 2/2.5 stars and 2.5/3 stars types of films that have gotten me edgy. Everything I’ve seen lately feels borderline (and interchangeably) 2/2.5/3 stars out of 4.
I feel like Super 8 will be one of ‘those’ movies that will be on tv in 2 years that I’ll turn on, enjoy for quite a while, and then shake my head at when the final 15-20 minutes approaches (or turn the channel altogether).
I still liked a lot of components to the film, but the overall is dampened (a bit, for me) by the vague/underwhelming climax.
Also, and here’s a reason why I am not a critic, I am someone who could care less about ‘what was JJ thinking!? I sit, I watch, I enjoy (or not), I ponder, reflect, I leave the parking lot. I don’t think this is the type of film to delve into so much. It’s a kids adventure story with a monster and enough nostalgia (strained or not) to charm the older crowds. But I believe this was a solid film that you either do or don’t like. Simple as that.
On a personal level, and I mentioned this above, more disconcerning to me is the whole ‘it was okay’ experiences that I’ve had all year (with exception to all ‘Red Riding hood’ crap, or, on the flip side, ‘Bridesmaids’ – which I thought was mostly hysterical).
^ “what was JJ thinking” — meaning Abrams. Not me (JJ1) :)