Movies.ie

• Critic rating
• Currently 3/5 Stars.

Movies.ie Critic Review

Smalltown, Ohio, 1979, and budding teen filmmakers Joe (Courtney), Charles (Griffiths) and Cary (Lee) have convinced school beauty Alice Dainard (Fanning) to join the cast of their latest monster movie. Their secret latenight shoot is derailed though by a derailing freight train, and soon the men-in-black are swarming, determined to put their strange cargo back in the box…

THE VERDICT: A child of the Spielberg age, J.J. Abrams has the distinct advantage here when paying homage to the Norman Rockwell of modern American cinema of having the legendary man himself on board as a producer. Fittingly, the whole thing plays like a lost Spielberg gem, but, as with Cloverfield, Abrams has come up with a disappointing monster. The kids stuff is darn near perfect though… 

Review by Paul Byrne 

• Avg User rating
• Currently 3/5 Stars.

User Reviews

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  spicymchaggis

  

  I went into this not knowing what to expect with Abrams tv series Lost leaving me very annoyed but also thinking Star Trek in the back of my mind which was fantastic. I in the end rather enjoyed the movie and while watching it I couldnt help but think of the 70's / 80's movies I grew up watching and loved. The cast are essentially no namers bar Kyle Chandler (known for the tv series Early Edition) and new to the big screen Elle Fanning (Dakota Fannings sister) whom in my opinion can out act her sister. I loved the lack of 3D and excessive fx's and green screen but still showing some of Abrams touches such as camera flare. The movie moves along at a nice pace without the need for flashing the alien constantly in your face and lots of shooting. Overall I really enjoyed and would recommend seeing it to anyone. Now if I had to pick at something and this is really nit picking also SPOILERS is that the cubes the ship was built out of were totally not necessary in the story and also the Alien is nearly the splitting image of the ones in the new tv series Falling Skies. And to Movies.ie thanks again for tickets again and an enjoyable evening, definitely worth the trip from Kildare

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  iBOC

  

  If your a Speilberg fan your going to both love and hate this movie. You will love it for the great performances from the kids, the innocence of the era in which it is set, the story and finally you will love the effect. But here is the killer, you will love the nods to all the previous Speilberg movies....you will see similarities to The Goonies, ET, Close Encounters etc. and although its great to see those nods you will feel cheated by the fact that JJ used so many of them. It seems as though he had a few good ideas and strung them together with the great scenes from some of Speilbergs greatest movies. It leads you to think that was the only reason why Speilberg was brought on as a producer !!! All that said, it is a great movie with some excellent performances, some cool effects, and overall a good story, but as a Speilberg fan I couldn't help but feel I had seen it all before. I would sum the movie up as "JJ made a movie that Dawson Leary would be proud of" ;0)

• • Currently 5/5 Stars.

  blade803

  

  Well after seeing this all I can say is that this movie is hands down the best movie of 2011 so far, each of the children play their part superbly, you get the feeling that they have known and been friends forever. In my opinion this is Abrams best film by far, if you are only able to see one movie over the summer then this is definitely the movie to go see. Thanks movies.ie for the tickets :)

• • Currently 5/5 Stars.

  mell61

  

  A great movie, the childrens friendship felt real and familiar, like the friendships we had at that age (the the woeful facsimile that appears in most hollywood movies). I'll run with my husbands verdict 'ET for grown ups, who want to remember being that age', and thats pretty much it. The acting and pacing is excellent. I would recommend for most age groups, but there is some 'peril' that might scare younger kids.

• • Currently 5/5 Stars.

  andyparhelia

  

  I can't fault this movie, it's pure entertainment perfection. Don't read any in-depth reviews, don't bother with trailers - just go and see it. I guarantee you'll leave with a smile on your face.

• • Currently 5/5 Stars.

  darthrodney

  

  Thanks for the tickets Movies.ie! Really enjoyed this movie, its JJ Abrams love letter to 1970 / 80’s blockbusters. The alte 70’s setting with elements of “The Goonies”, “Stand by me” and “E.T.” are obvious and then mixed in with sprinkles of his own “Cloverfield” and little nods to eighties movies with Star Wars toys hanging from ceiling and iconic songs from the period all combine beautifully. The ensemble cast of kids are charming and often hilarious and not annoying at all (as is the danger with child actors!). The SFX are wonderfully done especially the train crash. The ending does feel a little weaker than the rest of the movie but does not spoil the movie at all. I don’t understand the weak box office and reviews from the US with this movie as it has more heart and soul in it than all the other summer blockbusters combined, that’s a sad indictment of movie audiences just wanting big explosions and brain dead plot. It’s a throwback to the movies you loved as a kid before Green Screen/ CGI and 3D took priority of script and direction, I would totally recommend this movie. POST CREDIT SCENE: Don’t get up right away when the credits roll, you’ll get a great little bonus, trust me!

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  Bigeamo

  

  Everybody is trying to liken this to something, I suppose that what happens when Spielberg meets Abrams. My own take is that it is part ET, part Goonies part Alien. But that is not being totally fair to this film, which is excellent in it's own right. Great story, great look, great fun. Highly recommended. Gig up for the train wreck, by the way. Amazing to watch.

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  gmiskelly

  

  The best blockbuster I have seen in ages...ET meets stand by me with a bit of cloverfield thrown in for good measure. The special effects are excellent as is the acting. Highly recommend it. Thanks to movies.ie for the tickets

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  WildRose86

  

  Enjoyable, enthralling and entertaining! A lovely film riddled with Spielberg and Abrams stereotypes. Some fantastic scenes, loud ones too, cute kids and exactly how film loving kids act. Some nice little nods to horror/gore fun and really gives the 70s feel. A great watch! Super Great even :D

• • Currently 5/5 Stars.

  clivebb

  

  This film was just fantastic, really did remind me why each summer when I was younger I used to see which going to be the summer blockbuster 2011 summer belongs to this film. I loved that it was set in the late 70's so much more believable. Every character was perfect, script perfect, visuals and sound top drawer. I am not going to compare this to other Spelberg films as it would ruin or taint this film. In short Go and see this you will not be let down..... Many thanks again to movies.ie

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  Mr_Twist

  

  This years attempt at the Goonies with an ET thrown in for good measure. good start but with a poor finish this movie lost two stars purely for the lazy ending but won another star back for the end credits. go in with your inner child and you may enjoy this movie

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  scollonp

  

  Decent movie in the same vain as Goonies, ET etc. Best thing is the cast, particularly Fanning - she's excellent.

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  plantman

  

  Was not too impressed with this movie, did not live up to the hype that i was seeing before the movie, could have been a lot better especially the ending

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  SINEAD

  

  A wonderfully nostalgic movie, it definitely has a classic Speilberg feel to it. Shot beautifully and with a very talented young cast, a favourite of mine already.

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  Ellegibbons

  

  Very ET, I didnt enjoy ET therefore didnt enjoy Super 8 But thats a personal choice, I know alot of people enjoyed this movie.

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