Imbued with that effervescent movie magic quality so often linked to Spielberg, who serves as executive producer here, Abrams' film delivers an exciting and heartwarming adventure.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 7, 2023

[JJ] Abrams gets fine performances from his young cast, especially Elle Fanning in her breakout performance as the well-possessed young woman they cast in their film...

Full Review | Dec 3, 2022

I only wish the entire movie could have captured the magic that we see in it’s first 40 minutes.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 25, 2022

With Steven Spielberg producing, and J.J. Abrams directing (and clearly trying to channel early Spielberg), "Super 8" was pretty summer blockbuster-y; with that partnershiphow could it not be?

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 3, 2022

Its mix of genuine terror and sheer joie de vivre shines through.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 18, 2021

Really recreates childhood and that over emphasis on simple occurrences..

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 8, 2021

Super 8 is an entertaining popcorn flick, but one does get the sense of Abrams sweating up a storm in an effort to produce the sort of guileless matinee magic that Spielberg conveyed effortlessly.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | May 30, 2021

Ten years after its release, Super 8 remains thrilling and the film of yesteryear holds up beautifully well.

Full Review | May 25, 2021

While Super 8 is pretty much paint by numbers, plot wise, it is entertaining and beautifully shot.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | May 24, 2021

Super 8 is entirely Abrams as he draws from the storytellers who inspired him and he brings with him all the good and bad that he brings to everything else, making this a film you either love or dislike with little in between.

Full Review | May 24, 2021

There is no way I can write a legit review of Super 8 without sounding corny. But this nostalgic look at movie-making hits all the right spots for me.

Full Review | Mar 21, 2021

It's a by-the-numbers blockbuster, but one with a key element that's missing from most of the big-budget bloatfests crowding each other for space on the marquee every summer: heart.

Full Review | Jan 7, 2021

Takes a winning formula and replicates it to a successful degree - but very little originality finds its way into the film.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Nov 30, 2020

A film that manages to remind us that the scariest monster flicks are those where we actually care about those who are involved.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 24, 2020

Super 8 is a bit of a frustrating movie. It's well-paced, emotional, and captures a certain innocence of pre-pubescent youth, without becoming too cheesy.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Feb 14, 2020

Abrams seems more concerned with emulating the Spielbergian way than mining the true emotion that can be felt.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 6, 2019

Feels more like a faded memory than a movie.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 8, 2019

This might not be the most original piece of work, but it's one of those films that show that sometimes familiar can be a good thing.

Full Review | May 8, 2019

Super 8 is pretty much awash in charm.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Feb 13, 2019

The kids are the true stars here.

Full Review | Jan 28, 2019