Super 8

UK Release: 5th August 2011

Watched on DVD: Saturday 30th June 2012

Rating: 12A

Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Runtime: 1hr 52mins

Tagline: It arrives.

IMDb Plot Synopsis: In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth - something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined. 

My Review: Super 8 manages to encompass both an old-school classic adventure movie and a modern alien thriller all at once - at it works! It instantly sets the scene with a wash of nostalgia, getting the late 70s atmosphere just right with the colours, sets and costumes. And also the kids.

Somehow these kids are all of us at once and are the rose-tinted version of the kids we thought we were (or wanted to be)! They go off on adventures, are curious, loyal and fun. And the film they are making is both brilliant and amateurish at the same time - setting the balance nicely. You completely root for them from the start and with an excellent soundtrack things start off fantastically! 

However after the train crash things get really rather creepy and wow, the film gets dark in places. It was much more scary than I was expecting but you know what? This made me love it even more! I think this has something to do with the magic of Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams together (can't every film be by this two?!) as they are both excellent film makers. And combined!? It's just a dream come true!

With touches of ET and a smidgen of Independence day it was one heck of a thrilling ride!

Score: 8.5/10