Super 8 Forum

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Let me get this out of the way: I've been really, really, really excited for Super 8 since I saw the train crash teaser. Retro Spielberg plus J.J. Abrams plus crazy supernatural goings-on equals my most anticipated film of the summer, possibly the year. Then, Filmdrunk wrote a fairly damning review, gave it a D, and called it "This Year's Indy 4". Cue flop sweating on my part. Now, to be fair, I don't always agree with Filmdrunk, but still. It's enough to make me worry that my biggest hope for the summer is going to be the biggest flop. Have any of you guys seen any early screenings or heard anything that can assuage my fears? Please?

It's at 83% on Rotten Tomatoes at the moment, so I don't think you should be worrying too much. Besides, I quite liked Indy 4, so that's not really a big insult in my opinion!

It may evoke memories of classic summer blockbusters a little too eagerly for some, but Super 8 has thrills, visual dazzle, and emotional depth to spare.

"The year's most thrilling, feeling mainstream movie."

"An engaging return trip to Steven Spielberg's youthful world of wonder courtesy of J.J. Abrams."

"Named for an obsolete cinema technology, Super 8 is involving enough to create its own reality."

It's not coming out over here until August, which is a shame.

Rorie saw it today, so hopefully his review will be up by tomorrow.

I have no worries about this movie and besides Indy 4 was actually quite good. This is a JJ Abrams movie, his movies rarely suck.

It's no Indy 4. See it with a large, appreciate audience and I feel pretty damn confident you'll have a good time.

@Rorie: Does it actually have something of that E.T-like wonder that the trailer promised, or was that engineered? 
 
Whether this movie works for me relies heavily on how much it's told from the child's perspective. A bit of innocence and sense of wonder goes a long way these days.

Goonies + ET = Super 8 
 
That's been the common analogy. It's a fun film that won't disappoint. The story is a little predictable, but it's a film that focuses on the characters more so than the story. The story is the vehicle for some different character arcs if you will. Best kid actors I've seen in a long, long time.  

@GetEveryone: It's almost exclusively from the child's perspective. But it subsumes a bit of the wonder of those older films for pants-shitting scares. It's a different beast.

As long as you go into the movie not trying to overhype yourself, or go in with a plan to be as cynical and nitpicky as possible, you'll have a GREAT time. I know I did!

Also everyone seems to hate the ending, which I actually liked. I won't spoil anything, but if you are into the movie, and I mean INTO it, meaning you are right there with the characters, eyes glued to the screen, and aren't with a group of people who will constantly crack jokes and do things that keep you taking out of the experience of watching it, then I think you'll be okay with it. Particularly the last frame before the credits. The cinematography overall is pretty awesome.