Without knowing anything about the film or even seeing any trailers I've just watched and enjoyed Super 8.
The film started and ended with my favourite band ELO providing the opening track. Super 8 is set in 1979 so brought back my childhood and it's a family film, ala Flight of the Navigator (as discussed in a previous blog). The story was a little predictable, but still enjoyable. Reminded me a little of The Goonies/Stand by Me meets Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind, which is no surprise when the producer is Steven Spieberg. The film was written & directed by JJ Abrams (Star Trek, Lost).
The story involves 5 friends making a movie on a handheld camera during the summer, they witness and film a train crash. The crashed train convoy contains vital military equipment and needs to be recovered. Then people from the nearby town go missing as well as electrical equipment. It's up to the kids to save the day, find the missing people and uncover the truth about what is really on the military train.
There are a few obvious story arcs in the film. Characters who don't get along eventually learn to put differences to one side; friendships are strengthened and youthful romance blossoms. Throw in a some great cultural references and some factual inaccuracies (was the Rubik's cube available in 1979?) and you have a great period sci-fi film.
The film started and ended with my favourite band ELO providing the opening track. Super 8 is set in 1979 so brought back my childhood and it's a family film, ala Flight of the Navigator (as discussed in a previous blog). The story was a little predictable, but still enjoyable. Reminded me a little of The Goonies/Stand by Me meets Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind, which is no surprise when the producer is Steven Spieberg. The film was written & directed by JJ Abrams (Star Trek, Lost).
The story involves 5 friends making a movie on a handheld camera during the summer, they witness and film a train crash. The crashed train convoy contains vital military equipment and needs to be recovered. Then people from the nearby town go missing as well as electrical equipment. It's up to the kids to save the day, find the missing people and uncover the truth about what is really on the military train.
There are a few obvious story arcs in the film. Characters who don't get along eventually learn to put differences to one side; friendships are strengthened and youthful romance blossoms. Throw in a some great cultural references and some factual inaccuracies (was the Rubik's cube available in 1979?) and you have a great period sci-fi film.
My dad inheritted a super-8 movie camera in the mid 1970s and in 1978 my family toured Scandinavia using the camera to film the journey. The only tapes that the whole family could agree to play while we were travelling were - the Goon shows and ELO out of the blue. We have some fab footage of punks in Fjords! And ELO always reminds me of my last family summer holiday together...
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy.
ReplyDeleteHow cool to have those tapes and memories :)
My dad is a massive ELO fan and so I was brainwashed at an early age in liking "proper music". Luckily, for him, I really loved ELO too.
Hearing about your journeys reminded me of something. When I was about 9, my dad was working for a haulage company and like all kids I begged and begged to come to work with him. One night he agreed, so mum did a pack up and off we went (with a trumpetty trump). Journeying up and down the country, one tape in the player. "Out of the blue" by ELO. Father and son singing to along to Sweet Talking Woman really loud at 2am on the road to Kiddiminster! We weren't going anywhere as exotic as the Fjords, but it didn't matter to me I loved every minute being up in the big cab, CB lights flickering, and up wayyyy past my bedtime! listening to ELO with your dad.. life don't get much better.
you pair of old softies!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree though, family holidays in those days were brilliant, the old 8 track blasting in the car.
Hi Baz, just catching up on my reading and found your post. I'm so desperate to see this film but haven't had time yet. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will. I don't think any other commenters have picked up on your Rubik's cube query. While it was invented in 1974, it wasn't licensed to be sold until 1980, so you are quite right, it shouldn't have been in a film about '79. Really enjoyed both your post and the comments beneath it.
ReplyDeleteWow! You got to ride in a big haulage truck on your own with your dad. I am so jealous, last time I was made unemployed I considered taking a long-distance lorry-drivers course so that I could do that!
ReplyDelete