Friday, October 4, 2024

Killer Countdown: Super 8 (2011)

 
 
Streaming Service: Hulu
Movie Name/Year: Super 8 (2011)
Genre: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Length: 1h 52min
Rating: PG-13
Director: J.J. Abrams
Writer: J.J. Abrams
 
Actors: Joel Courtney, Jessica Tuck, Joel McKinnon Miller, Ryan Lee, Zach Mills, Riley Griffiths, Gabriel Basso, Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard, AJ Michalka, Andrew Miller, Jakob Miller, Jade Griffiths, Britt Flatmo, Elle Fanning, Glynn Turman, Noah Emmerich, Richard T. Jones, David Gallagher, Brett Rice, Michael Giacchino, Beau Knapp, Bruce Greenwood, Dale Dickey, Jack Axelrod, Dan Castellaneta, Thomas F. Duffy, Teri Clark, Tom Quinn, CaitrĂ­ona Balfe, Bingo O'Malley, Tony Guma, Marco Sanchez, Katie Lowes
 
Metacritic Blurb: In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth – something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.
 
 
Cat’s Point of View:
This year for our spooky month series, we decided to bring you something a little different – a countdown of horror or thriller movies that have a number in the title. These aren't in a bad/good arrangement or even in order of desire to watch, as our Top 20 Lists usually are. We're set to have 8 reviews for you, including this one, between now and the end of October, thus counting down from 8 to 1. Some of these movies are a little off the beaten path, so to speak, but they sparked our curiosity.
 
That being said, we're kicking things off with Super 8. This wasn't my first watch of this film, but I remember it fondly. It was a fun retrospective as well as a nostalgia fix given the time-period of the setting. I was happy to give Super 8 a fresh look to bring you this review with a new experience, rather than memories from years ago.
 
 
Super 8 has a very 'kids-with-bikes' adventure quality, and while this is a Sci-fi/ Horror blend, it is definitely watchable for the age range of the kids depicted on the screen. There might be some content that might be too disturbing for the younger set, but the PG-13 rating is very appropriate. There's little to no “real” blood, tame language for the most part, and a good deal of the violent shenanigans are just off-screen or obscured in a way that you don't always see it directly. I think it's a brilliant touch that helps build the suspense throughout the movie. Our imaginations are very crafty with filling in the horrible blanks. Not only does the anticipation ramp up for the “big reveal,” but it's also a little cost-conscious for the production due to savings on the effects – putting the big bucks into the payoff scenes at the climax. I was relieved that there was an amazing reveal here that was worth the wait.
 
 
I would, honestly, expect no less from a production helmed by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens) and with Steven Spielberg (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Ready Player One, West Side Story) as a producer greatly hands-on with the project. He is one of, if not my top favorite creative cinematic voices. I have adored his movies ever since I was literally a baby.
 
This movie offers a full range of emotions on this wild ride of a story. It opens with some deep dramatic notes that helps the audience invest in the characters. Then you get into some relatable coming-of-age stuff right as all hell breaks loose. The fewer details I discuss here, the better – trust me.
 
If you haven't already seen Super 8, this season of chills and thrills would be a great time to cue it up. If you have already watched this film in the past, then why not give it another spin? It was definitely a pleasant re-watch for me.
 
 
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 81%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 75%
Metascore – 72%
Metacritic User Score – 7.3/10
IMDB Score – 7.0/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
 
P.S – There is a mid-credits scene.
 
Movie Trailer:

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