"Super 8"

Mystery, Sci-Fi and Thriller. Rated PG-13. 112 minutes.

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J.J. Abrams tries to channel his inner Steven Spielberg when an alien breaks free in late 1970’s rural Ohio with “Super 8.”

Abrams opens the film with the funeral for 13-year-old Joe’s (Joel Courtney) mother. This sets up the relationship that Joe will now have with his father (Kyle Chandler) for the rest of the movie. But Joe is more concerned with helping his friends finish their zombie movie. While shooting a scene of their movie, they witness a horrific train crash, which evoked memories of the pilot episode of “LOST,” which was also directed by Abrams and featured an intense plane wreck sequence. After the train crash, people start disappearing and chaos starts to ensue around Joe’s hometown.

This is a tough film to pull off, because it depends on young actors who should be worried about finishing their middle school homework. But Abrams picked a great bunch of kids, who work very well together. Joe has a cute relationship manifest with Alice (Elle Fanning), and it really shows the talent that these young kids have.

Abrams also knows how to pace a movie. With each scene, we learn a little bit more about the characters and a little bit more about what is causing so many strange problems in the town. The movie continues to build and build until we eventually learn everything about the alien and what made these kids and their parents the way they are.

My only issue with “Super 8” is that it does become a little clichéd near the ending. But this is mostly nit-picking. It is a fun time in the theater that everyone will enjoy.

OVERALL RATING: B+

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Super 8 movie poster