On Super 8 ...

I thought Super 8 was going to be another cheesy sci-fi movie - boy was I wrong!

Stephen Spielberg and J.J. Abrams teamed up to make a pretty good film.  They used typical Hollywood formulas: alien comes to Earth and battles the Air Force - and the geeky boy gets the pretty girl.  But, putting aside the formulaic script - it was a pretty good flick.  I really liked the fact that the kids were younger, making this a blending of sci-fi and coming of age story.

The cast was good - no top stars - but, some accomplished character actors. In the leading adult role is Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights and Early Edition).  He's a talented actor, and it's good to see him in a starring role.  I think his boyish looks have long held him back, and now with age, he's still "cute" but perhaps more marketable.

The surprise was Dan Castellaneta, of Homer Simpson fame, as the pot head manager of the local camera store.  I didn't recognize him as a hippy with long hair!  It wasn't until my husband saw his name in the credits that I made the connection. There are other actors you will recognize, but probably not know their names.

Most notably in the kids' roles were Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney.  This appears to be Courtney's first role - and he did a decent job.  I look to see good things from him in the future.

Elle Fanning (Dakota's younger sister) is a prolific actress even at the tender age of twelve.  She began her career at the age of 11 months, playing the younger version of her sister's character in the award winning I Am Sam.  She has blossomed into a good actress in her own right.

Thankfully, they didn't go over the top with special effects.  The effects were proportional, and well done.  The alien was kept hidden through most of the movie, building suspense until it's unveiling.

There were a couple of goofs - script errors, but these are minor and don't interfere with the story.  Although they never actually state a specific time frame - a news program playing in the background places the storyline in March of 1979.  I doubt many people will realize that the Rubik's Cube was not introduced in the U.S. until a year later.  There were a couple of other minor gaffs, but nothing that destroyed the illusion or credibility.

All in all, it's worth the time.  It doesn't have the heart of E.T. and other Spielberg films, but, it is still a good story, and well made.  Let's put it this way, I was able to stay awake during the entire movie - and for me, that's a feat in itself.