Super 8 is so reminiscent to me of all the childhood classics that Steven Spielberg bestowed upon my generation. The rough and tumble Super 8 film crew consisting of a handful of Hollywood unknowns, might as well be carbon copies of the kids from, “The Goonies”. Or “ET” with the connection that can be made between two estranged beings, a young child and an extraterrestrial. Spielberg will be remembered as a Hollywood icon because of how over the years he’s created rich, compelling, visually striking films with enormous budgets, while utilizing the acting of relative “Hollywood unknowns”. His philosophy of not taking away from the story by casting big names and flashy marketing campaigns has remained one of the most refreshing aspects of Hollywood summer blockbusters over the last ten years or so. I think this last notion is blurred a little bit with marketing behind, Super 8, but he’s a producer for this movie and not directing it.
But, I did notice something from the MTV Movie Awards from last week that I thought was a bit peculiar, It was J.J. Abrams, the movie’s director, and Spielberg appearing at the awards show to present an award and plug their film (of course!). It isn’t really like Spielberg, to croon to the beckoning of any studio’s marketing department, even not his own, DreamWorks. But, with this one I think the executives at Paramount really pressed the fact that this movie needed to do well in the 13-19 year old male/female demographic, so that its opening weekend take would be deemed a successful one. I think the movie’s producers and marketing team felt that the movie should do well with the 18-25 yr. old demographic that are regular, Lost, viewers. But, although the numbers, $38 million for the weekend, are being considered above industry expectations, I think that Paramount would’ve liked a bit more.
Anyways, a little about the movie… Probably one of the best aspects of, Super 8, is the interaction between these young adults, who are trying to make a zombie movie. Charley’s bossiness of the others and how the audience will see this in regards to their adolescence/childhoods, the crew’s immaturity, but tact/adeptness at utilizing real life events unfolding around them to increase the movie’s “production value”. It brought me back to my childhood, even reminded me of some of the hopes and dreams I had when I was that age, which I’m sure was a similar effect for others watching the film. It might be a little slow in the middle before the story climaxes, but the acting, casting, and directing are right on point and make for an awesome science fiction thriller that most certainly has appeal to such a wide range of moviegoers.
