Super 8 (2011) PG-13

A teaser trailer for J.J. Abrams' (Star Trek, Mission: Impossible III) Super 8 was released almost an entire year ago. I was obviously enticed based on his previous work, the intriguing trailer and the name Steven Spielberg pasted all over every thing. Yes, this film is a homage to Spielberg films from the 70s and 80s, but it pales in comparison to the likes of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. What this film lacks in star power, it makes up for in special effects (which is one of Abrams' strong suits).

The films young lead actor is Joel Courtney. Courtney has never appeared in anything in his young life, so this is a breakout performance of sorts. He plays Joe Lamb, a seemingly normal 13-year-old boy who just recently lost his mother in a freak steel mill accident. Joe was very close to his mother. He carries a locket with her picture at all times. His relationship with his overprotective father (Kyle Chandler) has always been a bit strained. His father, Jackson, is also the Deputy Sheriff of Lillian, Ohio. You will certainly recognize Chandler from his role on the hit television series Friday Night Lights.

Joe spends the majority of his time hanging out with his punk friends Charles (Riley Griffiths), Cary (Ryan Lee), Martin (Gabriel Basso) and Preston (Zach Mills). Charles just so happens to be a young aspiring filmmaker. They make cheesy horror/sci-fi films on a regular basis. Charles directs, Joe does the make-up and the other three act. They all assist in other areas as well. Charles recruits little Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning), whose a total doll, to play a large role in his new production. Joe is instantly smitten with Alice, as are all the boys. She's blonde, tall and a year older than them, what's not to like?

The problem is that Alice's father Louis (Ron Eldard) is the sworn enemy of Deputy Jackson Lamb (Joe's father). Their relationship is on the rocks because of Louis' part in his wife's death. Louis is also a bit of a drinker, which doesn't help his case. Meanwhile, the gang prepares for a key scene which takes place at the train station just out of town. Alice borrows her fathers car for this brave adventure. Alice shines in her first scene; she was quite the find.

As they're getting ready to shoot another scene, a train approaches from the distance. They must take full advantage of the train as it prepares to pass by. They begin filming just in time as the train flies by, creating a wonderful real-life feel. However, Joe spots an oncoming truck speeding straight towards the train. A head-on collision is imminent. Joe stops the scene just as the train and the truck collide. The truck explodes and gets smashed into pieces as the train gets derailed. This ain't your typical slow-moving Minnesota train mind you; this thing is running at a good 60-70 miles an hour. Car by car, the train begins to fly in all sorts of directions. The kids sprint in the opposite direction to stay out of harms way. This is one of the two best scenes in the film, and to be completely honest things do go a bit downhill from this point.

Thankfully no one is seriously hurt, but they end up finding the vehicle which caused the crash. The mangled driver ends up being one of the local teachers at their school, Dr. Woodward (Glynn Turman). There is no way in hell he's still alive...right? However, a head-on collision can't stop this old bastard. They speak briefly to the Doctor, but he puts a shotgun in their faces so they shoo. As this is happening, U.S. Air Force vehicles approach hastily. The kids don't want to be around when questions need answering. Joe keeps himself a souvenir from the crash, which comes into play later in the film.

The train happens to be property of the U.S. Air Force, and they aren't letting anyone near the crash anytime soon. Sheriff Pruitt (Brett Rice) sends Jackson out to the site to find out what in the world is going on out there. However, Officer Nelec (Noah Emmerich) and his staff don't give him much information. Jackson will not stop until he gets to the bottom of this. Elsewhere, Alice's father finds out about her budding relationship with Joe and forbids her from seeing him again. All of this is fine and dandy but there's a large beast on the loose, which everyone is unaware of. Strange things begin happening all over town. Every car engine in town has gone missing, and every dog has runaway. That's strange...

Charles believes he can use the train crash to his films benefit, so they rewrite the script and start from scratch. They film outside the crash and work the crash into the film (which is about zombies or something along those lines). Joe and Charles also bring the film from the night of the crash to be developed at the local camera shop, which is run by hippie/stoner Donny (David Gallagher). He tells them it will take three days. Donny asks for Charles' smoking hot sister's (Amanda Michalka...ooh la la) number, but Charles shoots him down.

Despite Louis' demands, Alice and Joe continue seeing each other and the film is in full swing. However, the Air Force has now raided Dr. Woodward's house and has arrested Deputy Lamb for nosing around. Sheriff Pruitt has been taken/eaten by the dark beast and the town is now being evacuated. Is the Air Force on our side, or do they have ulterior motives? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain...Alice has been snatched by the beast. Therefor, Joe and his buds must find the beast and save her from almost certain peril.

This film is not at any point confusing, but it's a bit hard to describe it without giving away important details. The first half hour is quite strong, and there's also tremendous scene where the beast attacks a bus (that the boys happen to be in). The performances from the youngsters are strong enough, but I didn't particularly find the script as witty and charming as others have found it to be. The beast/creature is effective enough, although it's seldom on the screen. The main problem I have with this film is the final act. Just when you think things are about to pick up, the film gets bogged down with some sentimental mumbo-jumbo and ridiculous scenarios.

I'm not saying this is a bad film; it's a good film. It's well shot, there's some good acting, good special effects, but it's simply not very funny and an underwhelming final few scenes left a bad taste in my mouth. Elle Fanning (Somewhere, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Dakota's better half, is slowly garnering a fan-base; which will lead to bigger and better roles. There's a rare David Gallagher (whatever happened to this guy?) sighting here, which will please you big 7th Heaven fans. I know I'm in the minority here, but I found this film to be quite underwhelming and very disappointing. I'm mildly recommending it, but there are a handful of better films to see out there. This is Abrams' first original film, and while he didn't hit a home run here, he's a director to watch for years to come.
B-