In 7 words or less: Big monster indirectly fixes broken family relationships.
Best bits? A wonderful film and a classic story. It makes me yearn for youth (in late 70's America). The best side to this story, is of the friendship of a group of kids, who are making a zombie movie for a young film-makers competition. Something then happens, which takes their minds off of their shattered homes temporarily; a bombastic train wreck sequence that deafened and wowed me in the theatre (even if it is over the top). From then on, it starts getting freaky when an unseen monster escapes from the wreck and goes on nightly rampages, Dunwich Horror-style.
The kid's bold individual characters are all perfectly cast and well acted. It's as strong a group of characters as 'Stand By Me'. They play well against the adult actors too, who's stories are chock full of regret.
It's worth staying a while into the credits, as you are treated to the kid's finished film.
Did it make you think thoughts? Some criticised Super 8, saying that it only worked on a nostalgic level for people growing up on early Spielberg films but I whole heartedly disagree; It's a pointless and easy criticism to make when the film is this strong. Whether today's attention-span-impaired youth would agree, however, I can't be sure. I'm sure that they will agree the J.J likes his lens flares, though.
Would you watch it again? This was the first time I'd watched it out of the cinema and it makes for great Sunday evening home-viewing. You could even make a double bill of it and show ET too.
Rating (out of 100%): 89% Great Story, well made / acted / written. Well done. Now, go and invent something else as good as LOST.
