Super 8

Before I start, some of my friends asked me why was the movie called Super 8? Well it's called Super 8 because of the super 8 mm film invented by KODAK in 1965. Another interesting fact I found online is that when J.J Abrams was young he was the one that was given the job of editing Steven Spielberg's old Super 8 short films. Short films that Spielberg filmed when he was young. Now, Spielberg acts as the producer for J.J Abrams Super 8 film. Ironic isn't it?

Super 8 is set in 1979 and J.J Abrams does a really good job at making you feel as though you're there during those times. I loved the soundtrack, especially when the kids were singing The Knack's My Sharona. Lets not forget to mention Michael Giacchino brilliance as a composer. If you're wondering who he is, he's the one that won composer of the year at the Emmy's for the movie UP.

The movie is about 5 pre-teen kids who are trying to film a zombie film on a Super 8. There's the bossy director who is always updating his scripts at the very last minute, an extremely nervous lead actor, a kid who always seems to have explosives in hand and plays the lead zombie, a make up artist that is into model trains and lastly Elle Fanning as the girl they recruited last minute to play their lead actor's wife.

The movie truly begins when the kids witness a train derailment while shooting a scene for their movie at the train tracks. I will not go into details to spoil to show for you but let's just say that it was clear the J.J Abrams pays homage to Spielberg's E.T and Close Encounters of the Third Kind throughout the film. The way the show was filmed, how he played with the lighting effects and even the sountrack.

In my opinion, this movie is definitely one of the best movies released this year and maybe even Abrams best. The emotional appeal of the movie was great and very real. The kids delivered a stunning performance especially Elle Fanning. Even the visual effects team did a great job with the graphics. Overall, a fantastic show was made simply from a reported budget of 45 million USD.

I give this movie a strong 8 out of 10. Real movie magic was created, kicked off by a breath-taking train crash sequence. Enjoy :)