Super 8 [2011]

Super 8 is an unbelievably exciting 80’s throwback, a dedicated homage (not a rip-off, as you may have heard) and a fantastic fusion of Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams, a match made in cinematic heaven. It is also an intriguing amalgam of suspense, mystery, heavy drama and absolute balls-to-the-wall action, with a big heart, and set to an evocative score by Michael Giacchino (Ratatouille), one of Abrams’ most frequent collaborators.

There is an abundance of things blowing up, yet those sequences are not gratuitous. They’re an exhilarating dance of rubble and metal. The acting is superb: Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths, Kyle Chandler and Ron Eldard are the best among the strong, relatively unknown cast. Super 8 doesn’t let up (or down, for that matter). It’s easily the best movie of 2011, so far.