Phil sees SUPER 8 at the Camera 7 Pruneyard-June 19, 2011

The second film I saw on Sunday was the summer mystery film. When I saw the trailer, it looked very interesting. Very little of the plot was revealed, and with good reason. This film could become the sleeper hit of the summer. If you thought about passing on SUPER 8, I think you should reconsider your decision.

The film takes place in a small Ohio town in the summer of 1979. Four best friends and their leading lady begin making a super 8mm zombie movie when a devastating train crash occurs. Soon, strange occurrences and unusual disappearances begin to take place while the local sheriff's deputy tries to solve this mystery, but unfortunately the military holds all the answers. Them, and the deputy's son and his friends as well. In the end it's a race against the clock to see who can solve this case, and what was exactly on the train.

Written and directed by J.J. Abrams, the film is just fantastic, full of what a summer film should have. Abrams wrote an amazing script that is tight and well thought out, and all the characters are so real that we the audience can identify with at least one of them. This reviewer identified with at least three of the characters. Also the film has a groovy feeling of nostalgia: the movie looks and feels like it's 1979 with the clothes, the cars, the classic rock soundtrack, and killer horror movie posters. Also the film pays homage to one other classic sci-fi film from that era: Steven Spielberg's classic 1977 film CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Of course it helps that he was the executive producer on the film. I saw it as a hybrid of both that film and the other children's classic film THE GOONIES.

Also Abrams directing was flawless. The action scenes were spectacular, while my favorite scenes involved the kids. They reminded me of my childhood friends that I use to hang out with back in the late 70's. For me it was like taking a stroll down Memory Lane. Big props to Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning  (Dakota Fanning's younger sister) for re-creating that awkward moment of puppy love. Their feelings for one another helped propel the film's actions scenes as well as the story to a enlightening ending.

SUPER 8 is the sleeper hit of the summer. Full of action, suspense, thrills, comedy, and romance, the film is love note to the good 'ol days when going to movies was fun and exciting. J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg have made an exceptional film that will have people talking about it for the rest of the summer. I know that I'll be talking about!

SUPER 8 is now playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in San Jose. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://www.cameracinemas.com/index.shtml

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!