Super 8

Abrams carried this baby in his head for a really long time and his care is evident throughout picture. In story terms, this is a typical King movie (J.J. is a big fan) with some references to Spielberg’s most famous sci-fi. Excellent casting of the kid parts, gallons of emotion, perfect music by Giacchino, suspense, entertainment and a feeling that once upon a time everything was somehow better and slower moving. (22/10/2011)

This film is so simple that it’s not even nice. Yes, Abrams knows how to ignite the protagonists, himself, and even the viewer. Yes, it is a sincere film that won't offend anyone. But everything is a cliché worn a hundred times over that often leaves you astonished, unfortunately not in a completely positive sense. It is perhaps a slightly unconventional film about aliens (from the perspective of the predominantly child main characters), but that doesn't make it valuable. But it can’t be denied that Abrams knows how to direct actors, the chemistry between the main characters is excellent. There's no need to dissect the visuals, that is already clear, but having the feeling that for 112 minutes I am essentially watching a children's film, that probably wasn't the intention (family entertainment). A quite hesitant film. The trailer was probably about 200 percent better. (07/01/2012)

It is evident that nostalgia does a lot because Abrams made his film as a clear tribute to Spielberg's 80s family sci-fi films E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Not only does he keep up with them, but at least when it comes to effects, cinema has advanced a bit, making it a more enticing spectacle for today's audience. Such a train derailment and subsequent catastrophe full of explosions and flying wagons must bring excitement to every fan of flashy blockbusters. Nevertheless, Abrams received considerably weaker reception and significant doubts. After all, in terms of subject matter and directorial style, today's cinema has moved somewhere else, more toward comic book and video game adaptations. As for Abrams' direction, I can't fault anything, he has a good eye for casting child actors and Elle Fanning is so adorable to the point that praising her to express my sympathies toward this young actress would risk accusations of pedophilia. Abrams knows how to work well with child actors and has a sense for careful tension-building. But what can I say, I have also outgrown this production, and when I recently revisited Spielberg's filmography, films like Jaws, Duel, etc., despite being old, they still worked on me just as they did before, but Close Encounters and E.T. really disappointed me. It's just not the same anymore. Overall impression: 55%. (22/06/2014)

The spirit of the late seventies / early eighties and a bunch of kids setting out for adventure. And it’s good, really good. The kid actors can actually act, suspenseful at times and it simply works as it should, until an unbelievably over the top ending where the eighties feel crumbles in Abrams’ hands because the movie turns into a modern blockbuster à la Cloverfield and not what it was emulating up until then (and making reference to) in other words E.T., The Goonies, Stand By Me and It. Paradoxically, in spite of the finale, it applies here that “all’s well that ends well" thanks to the outstanding zombie credits with a typical Abrams punchline concerning the title. In any case, I am content, but not as enthusiastic as I was about Son of Rambow. That movie managed what Super 8 did. Only better, less flashily and overall more pleasantly and sincerely. Well, although... We can find this during the closing credits of Super 8 too, I’m telling you. (14/09/2011)

Spielberg 101? No way, this is a far more advanced class. Apart from the final emotions between parents and children, everything works in this film. What surprised me the most was how likeable the kids are, and their good performances – especially Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney. If Abrams made a serious sci-fi thriller with the same skill, I would be jumping in joy, even higher than now, but this badass E.T. phone home is just great. You won’t see hectolitres of blood flowing from the screen (though there are a couple of proper horror scenes: the attack on the petrol station and the underground liar), but you’ll get hectolitres of love for cinema. Unless you need to prove to yourself or someone else that family adventure films are below your “level”, this film can never offend you – so I don’t understand the initial displeasure here in Filmbooster. It’s a very subjective full house (I am aware of several screenwriting crutches in the second half), but also very strong. The most pleasant film of the year. (30/08/2011)