Super 8 [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

A Five Star movie. Absolutely - however I will be the first to acknowledge that this has it's own unique niche audience, and won't be for everyone. This is a love letter to the movies of the late 70's and 80's, the movie of Zemeckis, Dante and yes, most of all Spielberg. For in this feature J.J. Abrams has created a love letter to Spielberg's era of moviemaking, a movie that both celebrates and emulates the styles and tools, the moviemaking grammar, and particularly the tone of movies from that era.It's all that, but still wrapped in a story, one that has a set of familiar elements, but wrapped up in a new enough arrangement. A bunch of kids in 1979 bond while making home movies with their Super 8 camera. They are filming one night when they witness a terrible train crash.. but when the dust settles, there is something from the cargo of the train that has been released, and it is about to have a major impact on the town. Scratch beneath that relatively simple skin though, and you'll find elements of the Goonies (bunch of kids coming of age through shared adventure), Close Encounters (paranoia, alien contact affecting ordinary small town folk), Gremlins (the black humour), and E.T. (adolescents coming of age in damaged families). And if this is an homage to Spielberg, then it's earlier Spielberg - the guns, deaths and occasional mild swear words aren't airbrushed out. It is very much a story first and foremost about real kids, living real lifes, and much less about the fantastic events happening around them. Yes there is spectacle towards the end, but only as a pay off to the emotional journey of the characters.. if it's just the action or effects you want, you will likely be disappointed. In fact, if there is any off note in the movie, it is the appearance of cgi - a very modern tool to tell an old fashioned story, and taking you out of the nostalgia trip somewhat. But it's not enough to derail the journey.It's not just the director; the look, the feel of the movie, down through sets, period detail and even the musical score, also celebrate that early 80's feel. And let's not forget those lead roles - kids who actually come across as real, likeable, believable - the scenes where they have to emote, particularly Elle Fanning, are amazingly genuine, and the relationship between the leads is handled in a delicate way which uses visuals and acting more than it does clunky exposition or awkward dialogue.So yes, it is my own personal 5 stars.. Maybe it's too nostalgic to appeal to today's kids, maybe its too much about kids to appeal to today's adults. But for me, I am just at that age that when I was young and impressionable it was Spielberg and Dante and the rest that stirred my own passion for movies, that made that first mark, that created those moments that would be my first love of cinema.. and it is precisely that feeling that has been captured and celebrated here. This is what happens when movies about kids are made by mature filmmakers. Watching it, I felt like that young wide eyed kid in the cinema again, and it was a glorious feeling.

Just when i thought 2011 hadn't delivered a single decent sci-fi film, half way through December i watched Super 8 and was totally blown away! What a relief!This is one of those films that kids of today will be talking about 10 or 15 years from today, much like me and my friends remenice of films like the goonies, back to the future, ghostbusters etc. Films that truely capture the imagination!There are just so many good aspects to this film, most notably the child actors who are superb and totally believable! Granted this kind of disfunctional group of friends has been seen before in previous outings by Speilberg... But not for a very long time!! It's so refreshing, and great to see that Speilberg can still pull out another magical, fun film for the family... And in a different class to any other film maker! - Although this film really isn't for very young kids, the 12 rating should be heeded!The effects are also amazing, the train crash was awesome!!It is a real bonus too that the film is set in the past, it really gives the film a nostalgic feel!There are a few gaps in the plot though which is a shame but in no way detrimental to the enjoyment of the film, as a kid you wouldn't pay much attention to these anyway!!... Also plenty of 80's classics have holes too but it doesn't really matter.I must say I'm shocked at some of the negative reviews this film has, but i guess you can't please everyone. This really is a character driven masterpiece which draws you in to the character's individual issues and circumstances, not focussing fundamentally on action or special effects... Which in my opinion is dumbing down modern cinema and maybe why so many people couldn't get to grips with it - coming at it soley as an action sci-fi film (which it isn't).I am so happy that this film was made, so far Abrams is totally smashing it for me! he hasn't put a foot wrong so far!! Can't wait to see what he comes out with next, hopefully another Speilberg collaboration!