In today’s blockbuster bent world, few movies swell with creativity. Films lack that magic that inspires nostalgia and imagination. However, in the year 2011 a truly fantastic feature arrived. From the very first moments of the movie, Super 8, I am enthralled. Here is a story that is reminiscent of E.T.: The Extraterrestrial, a movie Spielberg also had his hand in. Super 8 has that special touch that screams J.J. Abrams. As a fan of J.J. Abrams’ previous work with Lost as well as Star Trek, I am excited to see another movie he directed. Now the two melded minds of Spielberg and Abrams are a spectacular combination that results in my favorite movie of 2011.
The story, set in 1979, starts with showing the lives of a group of young friends. All of their experiences tug at your heart strings; for each of them have their own struggles in a world of injustice. Despite the struggles of their young lives, they come together with a glimmer of hope to create a film. During their adventure of creating a scene, they witness an amazing train wreck that baffles them. Suddenly thrown into a military cover up and quarantine, the kids strive not only for the truth, but also fight for survival. Super 8 is a roller coaster that is fun at every single turn that ends exactly how you want it to end. The kids maintain their quirky personalities while growing and adapting to the world around them. They gain the courage and ability to move forward with their lives and you can’t help but feel completely ecstatic.
By the end of the film, there is a great sense of inspiration you can feel in the crowd. It leaves you with wanting more; and in staying through the credits that is exactly what you get. The world can be conquered and filmed in the process. After seeing Super 8, creativity oozes out of your pores and all you want to do is everything. Never, in the past twenty years, has a film inspired such awe and nostalgia as, my favorite movie of 2011, Super 8.