New Review: Super 8

Monster Mush

I probably shouldn’t be surprised, but the movie-going experience lately has left me completely depressed. This summer in particular has been quite upsetting, with nearly every film being a disappointment on some level or another. In truth, the only one that I have enjoyed thus far is Thor, and that’s because my expectations were way low. I’m not sure exactly what I expected with this film, but I way excited enough for it, coming from a group of filmmakers that I highly respected. Too bad I was royally wrong yet again.

As a nod to the nostalgic era of current working filmmakers, the film sets its focus on a group of middle-schoolers in 1970s Ohio. Their ambitious plan as of now is to complete the mini-feature of their friend (Reilly Griffiths), which is shot on the illustrious Super 8 film. The lead is played by Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning is along as the love interest for the main character. But while filming, the group witnesses a train accident: one in which a horrible creature is unleashed and wreaks havoc on the small town.

I really like J.J. Abrams, as his reboot of the Star Trek franchise is one of the most entertaining films in a long while, but here he goes for a more personal path and it fails. It fails miserably. What Abrams sets out to do is create a nostalgia drenched piece that harkens back to the days when he and producer Spielberg were falling in love with film. There’s a lot of homage to the master, but most of them are just ideas. There’s no point at all to this film: it’s just overbearing nods and mediocre storytelling. There are some good moments in the film, such as the initial crash sequence, but it’s one of the few that stick out.

What is most bothersome in the story is how divided the narrative is. One half focuses on the puzzle-box mystery surrounding the monster, and the steps that the kids go to in order to uncover the mystery. The other is the intimate, personal relationships between the kids. Problem is that neither one reaches a level of interest. The monster’s motivations are never clearly defined, leaving all scenes involving it to be slick looking mess. The personal relationships are intriguing, but all of them dangle on the surface; none of them are explored to a meaningful level. There’s nothing of value within the characters or the story.

The cast filled of mostly unknowns do a serviceable job, but nothing extremely noteworthy. Courtney’s performance actually feels like it’s one crafted out of clever editing rather than genuine talent. Fanning’s is inconsistent and the others are just downright annoying. The parents are all stand ins and completely useless. However, all of that could be forgiven if there was a hint of diversity in this cast, at least who weren’t used as self-sacrificing ideologues or expendable military pawns. It’s an element that rarely gets talked about in movies today, and even sometimes is unwarranted, but it needs discussion every once in a while.

I had hopes for the film, like a lot of people did. I certainly don’t knock the impressive visual effects or the Michael Giacchino score that does its best John Williams impression, but for the most part I really disliked this film, borderline hating it. It’s all idea and no substance, no point at all in watching it. It’s really sad that people as talented as Abrams and Spielberg can make a film that feels so empty on the inside. As much as I may have hoped otherwise, my depression this summer marches onward.

C-