Super 8 (2011)

directed by J. J. Abrams

starring Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler

I'm glad I saw this one on the big screen. The crash that sets the plot in motion contains some of the most cinematic explosions I've seen in theaters. Of course, there's a plot to back up the effects, and it's a good plot too - in part because it is an amalgamation of successful tropes. 

There's not much new here: recently-dead mother, distant father, sympathetic boy, single female cast member/love interest, mysterious alien, government conspiracy, it's all very classic Spielberg (with a bit of that J. J. Abrams mystery thrown in.) Close Encounters meets Cloverfield, it's been called. That's pretty accurate.

But while it doesn't bring much originality to the table, what Super 8 does bring is done well. The young actors do a fantastic job, and their exchanges are entertaining and often funny. Kyle Chandler was born to play vigilante cop dads. The writing isn't brilliant, but it's clever enough. This seems to be the problem: it's a perfectly good movie, but not the must-see instant-classic that the hype may have suggested.

My one complaint is the final scene. Everyone suddenly and inexplicably reunites - and I mean inexplicably, that was some terrible editing, one second they're in the underground cave lair and the next they're standing in the street (could they not show a single, quick shot of them turning to climb?) (or something?) - before an abrupt and somewhat unsatisfying conclusion.

But the first two acts remain strong examples of summer cinema. Sure, it's not the next E.T., but I can live with that. I'm pretty sure Spielberg can, too.