Super 8 (2011) ***/ 5. Middle of the Road

Super 8 is a so so film that manages to achieve a middling ground: the ground where you are neither offended nor impressed. It never challenged my sensibilities, not one iota, but I was impressed that it was shot on a small scale which would reduce the reliance on overblown special effects in some instances and thereby rely on the trite emotions on display. The word of mouth is that the film is similar to vintage Spielberg in films such as E.T: the Extra terrestrial and Close Encounter of the Third Kind however the middle ground that the film treads is sufficient for the casual filmgoer to appreciate the film’s own identity, however superficial it may seem. The primary weakness of the film, however, is that it does achieve the middle ground thereby reflecting the cowardice displayed by the screenwriter and director, J.J Abrams, who failed to make this film into a definitive sci-fi experience.  Daring in filmmaking is characterised by both failure and exaltation i.e. if you dare to make someone see something they have never seen before you will either soar or kick the bucket (some films have been known to fail at the box office and be resurrected later on DVD however this film does not achieve such a status). I will discuss these weaknesses in depth later.

The film centres on Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney), a pre teen who has just lost his mother in an accident at work and his complicated interactions with Alice Dainard (Ellie fanning) who he has feelings for and his father, deputy Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler). While filming a Super 8 film (mini films project) with his friends at a train station they witness an mysterious accident of a train belonging to the U.S air force carrying a mysterious passenger. When the mysterious alien passenger escapes the small town in Ohio is put on alert with the intervention of the air force that is determined to capture their escaped prisoner at any costs and the mysterious disappearance of mechanical appendages (no spoilers here). It is up to Joe and his friends to discover the mysterious origin of this alien and the reason why he does what he does.

What’s good about this film?

Firstly, the film is shot on a small scale which is reflective of the small suburban town where Lamb lives with his father. The key to shooting on such a small scale is that when the visual effects are put on display they normally standout. The small scale also allows for some time spent on the various characters and why they do what they do and thereby try and incorporate this into the main plot which is the mystery surrounding this alien on the loose. It is safe to say that the back-story is not remarkable but, as I said before, it ‘neither offended nor impressed’. It hit the middle of the road. I did not care for the characters in so far that there is a love interest etc which is complicated by other elements in the back story. I also liked the idea of the kids making a super 8 film which provides some of the original moments in the film. One critic (Betty Jo tucker) pointed out the scene where Alice (Ellie fanning) turns on the charm in one of the scenes featured in the super 8 film (not the actual production that you watch) and stuns not only the kid director but you as a casual filmgoer, is one of the most memorable movie moments of the year so far. I don’t know whether or not I agree but this scene is an original moment which gives the film some form of an identity thereby tying it in the concept Super 8 which is the title of the film. It is also reflective of the small scale of the film where some kids are out filming a mini movie and then the female lead in that mini film is able to generate a performance worthy of the major league. It is obvious to say that when the kid director and his crew see this performance they are seeing something remarkable. It may not be that original from an objective standpoint but within the context of the film it gives it some form of an identity. From an objective standpoint King Kong (2005 & 1933) had the same element that the crew were going to film on location only to discover the nature of the beast which is a 20 foot gorilla. There were scenes in King Kong where the characters were filming a movie alongside the action taking place in the actual Peter Jackson production (or 1933 production). It is no surprise therefore that Kyle chandler, the deputy in this film, is one of the leads. He played the egotistical movie star in KING KONG (2005). This is why I say that from an objective position the concept in Super 8 is not original for aside from King Kong there are probably other instances of a film within a film which I can’t highlight right now. The only difference in this 2011 production is that the film within a film is being made by children.   The train crash that follows this scene in the mini film could have been just as tragic when the boys fear that after giving such a memorable performance in that one scene in the mini film Alice would have died so young and full of talent. When, or if,  you watch this scene look at the reaction of the boys when they gather round to determine whose blood it is and their fear that it might be Alice because she gave that wonderful performance in the mini film. There are other scenes with the kid director who is desperate to get production values or elements that will stand as a back drop to the main action of the film (his film). One of the reels of the kid director’s camera also revealed something about the mysterious alien in the crash and so super 8 gains some trite relevance as a title.  Another good element in the film (which can also be seen as a bad element) is the middle ground that this film achieves. It is not spectacular and it is almost forgettable but you don’t walk out of the cinema saying what a waste of money etc. This middle ground cannot be explained fully but in the film there are the elements which could have been developed to make it simply mindless and there are the elements such as the scene at the train station that could have made it unforgettable and a definitive film going experience. J.J Abrams plays it safe however and so he neither soars nor disappoints.

What’s bad about this film?

The disappointing elements of the film are those moments that go for mindless action over the definitive experience and this rests with the concept of the super 8 in the film. The relevance of the term super 8 as a title disappears near the end and so you don’t know what sort of film you’re looking at by the closing shot. The closing shot is clearly reminiscent of E.T. and this is why criticisms abound for that shot could still have been kept but within the context of the definition of the concept that is super 8. Within the context of that definition of the term super 8 the film would still manage to stand on its own.  Here is a suggestion from yours truly as to how they could have kept the super 8 concept alive throughout the film. (I pointed out in my review of Thor that if I start making suggestions the film is far from perfect but certain elements in the film had they been developed could have made a startling difference to the film’s conclusion.) The concept, super 8, could have been stretched to the boys filming about the alien and its life on earth. They would get to understand the alien etc take him in and hide him from the parents. Using the super 8 principle the kids would do a documentary style film about the alien and his quest to return home. This quest to return home would involve breaking into a military base (as what happened in District 9) to retrieve the stolen items and the action could be developed here where the boys are in a race against time to retrieve the necessary elements needed for the repair of the alien’s spacecraft . All this would have been done while filming and so the final scene where the alien takes off could have been an element in the film. The super 8 film would be entered in some competition and would be the means by which knowledge on aliens is gathered. In another sphere the concept could have been stretched to speak about the imagination of children and their own vision of space and time. The process of the creation of their film would be the means by which we would get some insight into their vision of the universe. The regular filming would take place but when they discuss ideas about the universe we would see this on display in real time. This could be done based on all the special effects we have available to day which would mean more money. How would these children have explored the nature of the universe through their mini film? Would they make it into a Star Wars Episode 4 (since the film takes place in the late 70’s) spin off or a mysterious journey into space which occurs in 2001: A Space Odyssey? The final shot of the film could have been a wink at the camera with full knowledge that they were taking a sample from E.T. This would have been the real challenge for J.J Abrams if he wished to give the concept some more substance thereby making the conclusion of the film more palatable. This is why I am not sure if I agree with the critic that stated that the scene involving Alice is as remarkable as it really is although I am not denying its effectiveness within the limited definition of the concept that is super 8. In King Kong (2005) a similar teary eyed scene occurred with Naomi Watts as the actress Ms. Darrow being filmed by Carl Denham (Jack Black) who was moved to tears because of the performance. In this film there is not much elaboration on the character of Alice that would merit her emotional resonance in that scene, in the mini film, because she is an underdeveloped character although the performance of Ellie fanning in that scene is effective and adds to the super 8 experience. In Peter Jackson’s King Kong we were able to understand the dynamics of Ms. Darrow's character which is why she could almost make you empathise with her while she performed before the camera. In that film her source of grief was that everyone that she loves either dies or leaves (something like that). This definition is not outlined for the character of Alice in Super 8.

I illustrate these alternatives for the focus of the Super 8 shifted from the concept of the super 8 to a generic alien film and this is why critics are complaining about its resemblance to other great sci-fi films. They could have done away with the heavy handed back-story and started from the out set about the crew on the super 8. The concept of the super 8 would then hit forcefully home immediately. This is what the great sci-fi films do: they  get the ball rolling immediately; try and recall the opening act of Star Wars Episode 4, Blade Runner, 2001: A Space Odyssey, E.T  etc and you will get the drift. This great emphasis on his mother’s death at the beginning could have been deleted and the focus placed squarely on the concept. The mother could be mentioned throughout the film. In the film Joe walks around with a locket he could just say to Alice ‘this is my mom she passed away couple years ago’ or she really supported my super 8 drive; not like my father who is disappointed in everything I do’ etc. Little things like that. Science Fiction is not here to make us cry but to make us wonder at the alternate realities in space or technology. The ham handed approach to the emotional moments early on robbed the film of time to develop a definitive visual experience which is what great Sci-fi films are known for: A palatable alternate reality which is enhanced by its art work. This film does not do this.

Look at the alternate alien in this film. He or she is presented at first as a monstrous and by the end everyone seems to care although he is eating some of their fellow citizens. It is almost incomprehensible. The presentation of the alien did not seem to have much thought behind it. It reminds one of previous alien incarnations: ugly, superior intelligence and ugly. In this film it has no distinctive character like that of E.T (which was the main reason why the film was successful). It’s just a big mess. J.J Abrams tries to wrap up the film in a botched manner which does not do justice to the potential of the concept of the super 8. After firing bombs at the alien everyone watches in delight its ascent into the skies as the spaceship in E.T did. Where did this turn come about? District 9 approached the matter from a more palatable point of view for when the Alien was trying to escape it still had to deal with the marauding soldiers who were hell bent on killing it. It escaped under some harsh conditions and so, following the escape, there was some sense of relief. In this film everyone grows quiet after just trying to blow the alien into little pieces. Incomprehensible. Incomprehensible is the effort of J.J Abrams trying to blend District 9 with E.T. The bourgeois inhabitants had to be forgiven for their excesses against the poor beast so some apologetic scenes were in order. This approach was botched and it shows.

People are hell bent on comparing this to films by Steven Spielberg but there are elements of other films such as District 9 (2009) and King Kong (1933 & 2005) which are both affiliated with Peter Jackson (he directed a remake of the classic King Kong and produced District 9). I am sure there are references to E.T and Close Encounters of the Third Kind but the use of the super 8 mini film component is not an element seen in those films. This is why I suggested that Mr. Abrams could have still winked at the camera knowing full well that he is borrowing from Spielberg and others.

Also some of the characters of the air force are mere caricatures, stunted in their presentation and hardly effective in generating some sense of mystery.

Conclusion

 In a scene where the townsfolk are in an uproar over their missing electrical and mechanical appliances they say that it must be the Soviets. I find that highly improbable and maybe that is the point Abrams is trying to make although he does not develop it sufficiently for  in the late 1970’s, with the events involving  Nixon and Watergate, the people would not be able to trust themselves much less the Soviets. The ire of the town members should have been directed at the air forces who were pillaging their neighbourhood. In one scene where the boys, in an army bus, feel they’re going to die who should they fear the most? The Soviets or their own government? Who is going to foot the bill for the destruction of property? God Bless America. At least they have the final E.T. shot to console the audience and shield it from the hysteria that is likely to follow.  Middle of the road.