Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

Super 8

J.J. Abrams brings another event movie – yes, it’s only a movie but Abrams’ marketing approaches of viral campaigning and teaser footage always builds us film geeks up into a frothy anticipation. And Abrams’ films haven’t disappointed yet. The guy who changed TV with “Lost” and the “Fringe” – he’s resurrected the “Mission Impossible” franchise; He has the balls to redevelop the sacred “Star Trek” story and make it work; Now, he grabs ahold of his childhood inspiration…Steven Spielberg. He doesn’t do it alone, he’s got a team and some of them have worked with him since he was a teenager. He even brings in Spielberg to produce a film that pays tribute to him…genius. It’s set in 1979, but like most Spielberg stories, it’s timeless. What these guys get and so many filmmakers forget, is that it’s not about aliens or monsters…it’s about people dealing with aliens or monsters. Two axioms to live by: Care about your characters and people and build tension with what we don’t see. That’s what Abrams adheres to – classically told stories. The film illustrates a lifelong love story – a couple of kids and their Super 8 camera, looking at the world from a different angle. It’s “E.T.” with teeth meets “The Goonies” with bereavement issues and well worth a watch.