Super 8 (11/22/2011)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and some drug use.

Starring Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning and Kyle Chandler

Directed by J.J. Abrams

Anytime you have J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg involved in a big budget summer movie, expectations are going to be really high. Well they exceeded every expectation and then some.

In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth — something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.

I still can’t decide what I like more…the action or the story. Either way there is a perfect balance between the two. And truthfully there are two stories. One is what happens when a bunch of friends try to make a movie and witness a horrific train crash and the other is about Joe and his father coping with the death of Joe’s mom. The brilliance of the stories is how they intertwine perfectly right before the credits role.

As far as the action goes…it has it all – explosions, car chases, shoot-outs and plenty of suspense. You know that kind of “Jaws suspense” when you know something bad is about to happen but you still jump when it does.

And speaking of Jaws, this movie takes us back to that kind of film making. Remember how we hardly saw Jaws and that’s what made it even more terrifying? Well Super 8 does that and does it perfectly. That’s what a talented director brings to the table.

As far as the cast goes, I recognized just a few faces (Kyle Chandler from Friday Night Lights; Noah Emmerich and Ron Eldard). The majority of the cast are kids who all did a fantastic job. Every one of them reminded me of one of my classmates…which made the entire thing more believable.

Finally there is the attention to detail that is flawless. Whether it was the BMX “tuff wheels” or the older sister filling out the Columbia House music club form, it took me back to my childhood.

I loved everything about Super 8…except the language. Because of that I’m giving it a “Theater Worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The action scenes are pretty intense…especially since (just like Jaws) you don’t see everything until near the end of the film. There is also a lot of swearing from the kids…again it reminded me of my childhood.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: I am going to be intentionally vague here because I really don’t want to give away the ending. So this portion may not make sense, but once you see the movie it will be very clear.

There is one scene where Joe says something like, ‘Bad things happen to all of us, we need to live.” These words are coming from a young teenager who has experienced the death of his mother. His words are simple and yet so profound…bad things do happen to all of us…and we need to live through them.

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: So what do we do when bad things happen to us? Well there are two very familiar verses that we tend to turn to. Let’s read them together.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

And Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

So what do you think those verses mean? Basically they are reminding us that nothing surprises God. That no matter what we face, He is in control. Not only is He in control but He loves us, and those two amazing truths should cause us to trust in Him no matter what we may face.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: The question here is how do you trust God when bad things happen? Well one very practical thing we can do is to look at all of the things God has done for us. So take out a blank sheet a paper and just start listing all of the “blessings” God has poured into your life.

Then start writing down all the prayers He has answered. I like to keep a prayer journal to remind myself of all the prayers God has answered on my journey.

Take a look at your list. Can you see evidence of Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11? Can you see God’s hand in your life?

Keep that list nearby because bad things will happen, and we need to live through them.