Super 8

I take acting classes up in Seattle and the main kid in this movie, Joel Courtney, is one of classmates, so it was a total thrill to see this and support his (hopefully) career-making performance.

Set in the late '70s, Joe (Joel Courtney) is helping his friend Charles (Riley Griffiths) making a movie (using Super 8 film, obviously). While filming, they are caught in the middle of a train derailment. The train, owned by the U.S. Air Force, contains an alien that is then set free to reek havoc on the small town of Lillian, Ohio.

Also appearing in this film are Elle Fanning, AJ Michalka, Kyle Chandler, Dan Castellaneta (apparently), and others.

The movie is, essentially, a tribute to the classic family movies of the '80s, specifically Steven Spielberg's E.T. There are spot on performances all around but the kids are definitely the stars of the show, especially Elle Fanning.

There are some problems. J.J. Abrams can't have enough lens flares and and the CG effects are a bit obvious, but at the very least, the characters are likable and memorable, and the score is noticeably well done.

This is definitely a step up from Star Trek and that is coming from someone who LIKED Star Trek. Also, if the score is nice and memorable, you already got my attention.

I liked it.