Super 8 (2011) [Blu-ray]
Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline: Bad things happen, but you can still live.

Legendary filmmakers Steven Speilberg and JJ Abrams join forces in this extraordinary tale of friendship, mystery, and adventure. Super 8 tells the story of six friends who accidentally film a train wreck only to discover that something unimaginable escaped during the crash. Now, the only thing more mysterious than what it is - is what it wants. Experience the film that critics rave is, "filled with unstoppable imagination and visual effects to spare. It will put a spell on you." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

User Comment: *** This review may contain spoilers *** Abraham Torry from New York, United States, 11 June 2011 • The film is about a town mystery looked through the eyes of children. From the early part of the movie, you feel like something powerful and dangerous is lurking around and is going to jump out on you at any moment. Ever-multiplying questions tease your brain and a suspense is building up at the back of your mind right up to the end of the story.

The acting was very convincing and drawing although the movie suffers from its mediocre ending. A few times I felt that the logic and the flow of the plot were a bit unrealistic and artificial. I wish that the story was focused more on the mystery and the children's reactions without all the insignificant distractions and one-dimensional minor characters.

After being disappointed by a series of recent movies, this one was refreshing and heart-fluttering. It flings us back to the adventure-seeking and truth-chasing time of our childhood. If you are into tantalizing sci-fi thrillers like this movie, I recommend 'Somewhere carnal over 40 winks' as your summer read.

Summary: When you see a bike fly, walk out of the theater and make up your own ending.

User Comment: *** This review may contain spoilers *** mkc1218 from United States, 12 June 2011 • Super 8, derivative and disappointing at its best, can be summarized using elements from the other sci-fi/thrillers that Spielberg either directed, produced, or exec-produced.

Some annoying kids find a map (Goonies) – including a fat kid who likes to eat (Goonies) – and they come up against the military which is trying to track down an alien on the loose (E.T.).

The creature has created issues for the townsfolk who express concern at a meeting with the sheriff (Jaws) and they eventually have to evacuate because of a made-up disaster (Close Encounters).

The alien, who is a really a spider (Arachnaphobia) that has been collecting items so that he can get home (E.T.), has the ability to make a psychic connection with humans (Close Encounters). One of the kids has a seemingly useless obsession that winds up helping to save the day in a climactic sequence (fireworks here and inventions in the Goonies) however the creature is much too smart to fall for such a trick (Jaws - "he's either very smart or very stupid"). An old guy, who is an expert on this creature (Jaws) winds up dying while the army shoots through the town and tanks roll (War of the Worlds).

Then the characters put the story together in one long expositional scene and we are not really sure how they figured it all out (Minority Report). It seems the monster is really a misunderstood good guy (Goonies) who makes a connection with our hero (ET, Close Encounters) and then flies home (E.T), but not before a lot of missing people are returned (Close Encounters) and lots of appliances fly around (Poltergeist).

The End.

Summary: Elements cobbled together from other Spielberg films.

[CSW] -3- Good acting but a weak plot and even weaker ending. I will admit that I expected less and was pleasantly surprised that even with a few parts of the plot that seemed totally contrived as a whole that was a pretty good movie. It will hold your interest the whole way through but may leave you a little disappointed in the end. This is one of those movies that you have to see for yourself.
[V5.0-A5.0] MPEG-4 AVC - D-Box 7.9/10 - A few scenes that could have used motion didn't have any but the rest were good.

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