To writer/director J.J. Abram's credit, he has captured the joy of creative team work as the young people produce their movie inspired by George Romero. The discussion about plot, characters and audience empathy will make English teachers and film columnists hopeful towards the future of film making. During the post credit sequence, patient ticket buyers are rewarded with the punchline of **Super 8.**
Yet, **Super 8** is a split motion picture that involves Area 51 and a shadowy monster. These action sequences are well directed with an important message about understanding and cooperation. Sadly verisimilitude is lost towards the climax of the movie as the teen agers dodge train wrecks, tanks and explosions, with nary a scratch.
In interviews, Abrams admitted that **Super 8** was a homage to his boss/producer Steven Spielberg's earlier motion pictures, like **E.T the Extra Terrestrial** and **Close Encounters of the Third Kind.** In turn Spielberg admitted that films like **Earth versus the Flying Saucers** and **the Day the Earth Stood Still.** were major influences upon him. There is no denying that **Super 8** will have a positive influence upon today's young people.
