Paperaxle Reviews "Super 8"

Always wanted to know what the J.J. stood for in the name "J.J. Abrams". After seeing this movie, I think it stands for "Just Junk".

The title "Super 8" doesn't refer to the size of Anthony Weiner's dick (although he wants his Twitter followers to think so), nor does it refer to yet another superhero movie on the heels of "X-Men: First Class" (which, by the way, I want to give a big "thank you" to Hammer for reviewing this. I got caught up in a bunch of work, and you children had to take second place). Rather, "Super 8" refers to the type of film used by a group of teenagers used to make a home movie. Most hand held cameras used this type of film in the late 1970's, which is when the film takes place.

In 1979, in the town of Lillian, Ohio, a group of teenagers are filming a home movie about zombies late at night. The scene is a train station just outside of town, and they are in the midst of filming when a train goes by, and some unknown force causes the train to derail, scattering hundreds of boxcars all over the countryside, and bringing in the military to clean up the mess and keep the situation quiet.

And, I'm sorry, but the train crash is the best thing in this movie.

The police are baffled when dogs start disappearing all over the city. The police chief winds up missing as well, as well as other select citizens of Lillian. There is a creature hiding in town, holed up in the cemetery, who only comes out at night. The military won't admit it, and stages a wildfire on the outside of town to evacuate the city so they can capture the monster.

Although the movie looks great, and has some great special effects, with superb acting by the main characters, it ultimately gives you a feeling of "is that all there is"? The ending of the movie is unsatisfying, and overall leaves you with too many unanswered questions. This is a movie about life in a small town, which just happens to have the military pursuing an escaped alien from outer space? And the alien is.... Spider-Man? (Or should that be "Man-Spider"?) Didn't buy it.

What I did buy was the feeling of the 1979 setting of the movie. Lots of ELO music, the clothing, the atmosphere. It was like watching a remake of ET, and I mean that in a good way.

I'd give this 112 minute movie just two Predators and an ALF. For such a "Super" movie, they could have come up with something better than a "Mediocre" plot.

Next week, I'm in Denver, Colorado. Already have tickets for an advance VIP screening of Green Lantern on Wednesday. Check back with me then...