 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Super 8
- Review Date: June 10, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Science Fiction
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Teens save town in action-heavy sci-fi film with retro feel.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this exciting, 1979-set sci-fi drama -- which follows a group of young teens who witness a horrific train accident while making a homemade movie and get caught up in a military cover-up involving a mysterious and dangerous beast -- has some intense action violence, especially the truly terrifying train wreck. There's some blood and weapons use, and some scenes may make you jump out of your seat, but gore is minimal. Also expect some drinking/drug content (including someone trying to sell the kids pot) and swearing (including one use of "f--k," as well as "s--t," "a--hole," and more). Director J.J. Abrams manages to perfectly capture the feeling of similar movies from the period, largely by drawing shamelessly from the works of producer Steven Spielberg.
What's the story?
Summer 1979, Lillian, Ohio: Six teens are making a zombie movie that they hope to submit to a festival. For Joe (Joel Courtney), it's a chance to bury himself in a project that might help him move on from his mother's recent death ... and avoid the tense existence he shares with his father, the town's deputy sheriff (Kyle Chandler). Alice (Elle Fanning), a relative newcomer to the troupe, wants a respite from the home she shares with her tortured, alcoholic father (Ron Eldard). Wannabe auteur Charles (Riley Griffiths) longs to see a finished product, and so do their three other friends. But while filming a pivotal scene, the teens witness a mysterious train crash of monumental proportions, one that unleashes a military crackdown on their once-tranquil town, as well as a newcomer of extraterrestrial proportions.
Is it any good?
Let's forget any attempts at originality, why don’t we? Because SUPER 8 won’t stun with innovation. It definitely feels like an homage to great movies past, particularly E.T., Stand by Me, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. (Producer Steven Spielberg’s guiding hand is definitely felt.) And the bare bones of the plot are certainly familiar, as is much of the dialogue.
Yet, Super 8 is entertaining -- despite some overly obvious grabs for viewers' heartstrings -- because the personal stories that root the action-heavy film matter to the audience. We feel for Courtney’s aching Joe and Fanning’s compassionate Alice. We even care for the bossy, foul-mouthed fledgling director Griffiths plays because his friendship with Joe feels grounded and true. Abrams captures the tumult of adolescence, especially when buffeted by very grown-up insights ... never mind the intergalactic space monster threatening to tear this nostalgic town to pieces.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's messages about communication and peaceful negotiation. How does the movie's violence tie in to this message?
For those familiar with Spielberg's movies -- how is this an obvious homage to his films? What elements of Spielberg's movies are evident in the heroes, the story, the cinematography, the music?
How would this movie have been different if it was set in the present day? How does Abrams include '70s technology in the storyline?
Why are the kids so devoted to making Super 8 movies? What purpose does the activity serve? Do kids these days get to indulge in creative pursuits like these in the same way?
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AGE
Good movie Bad language
Super 8 is a Heavy action flick, but is not all
that scary there is some blood but not allot
of it. It does however have language that is very inappropriate for anyone to be using such as
F__k, S__t, P___y, J____s, D__k, and the like.
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AGE
Fun Film. But plenty of bad language and a couple violent scenes.
Fun summer film that has good child role models. And the bad adults come around in the end. Great acting and story-line. Good movie making. Cons: Swearing is throughout the film; Holy S--t is used a lot by some of the main child characters. And a couple of too gross and violent scenes (like brief glimpse of a monster eating a severed leg...) My ten-year-old enjoyed it, but I think 11 or 12 is a better minimum age.
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AGE
Great
I loved it. It was completely, breathtakingly amazing. It is one of my favorite films. Very good story line, and sublime acting from young actors. Its almost impossible not to completely fall in love with this movie.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 9, 2011
AGE
Super 8
This was 'Super Gr8'. Abrams kept the storyline too secret, so it has danger in the box office. This is a sci-fi epic, so tons of action violence. There is a disturbing zombie short made by the kids. The characters risk their lives to save each other. Some flirting, a kiss. 1 f***, and multiple uses of other profanity. 7-Eleven (an advertising partner) is seen once. One character says he is 'stoned', and some characters drink beer. This was amazing.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 9, 2011
AGE
Super 8 might be "Super Jumpy."
My parents want to take me to this movie when it comes out, but I'm kinda scared to go because of the kids (who are "middle-schooler aged" like me) who say curse words and I'm also scared if I am going to jump out of my seat and it might scare the living daylights out of me. I'm also worried if my bro is going to get scared and also my mom. I worry too much. danypeace10 out.
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AGE
A Great Movie
There is violence, language, and drug reference, but this is still a great movie to take a mature 11 or 12 year old to.
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AGE
Super8 was alright not very good
This wasn't my pick of a movie wasn't really scary at all no jump off the chair moments. 8 years in up for this movie which maybe scary for them but for teens & adults it really isn't scary looking for scary this isn't a movie for you. Only see Super8 if you have seen all the other summer movies.
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AGE
Absolutely going to see it!
The trailer looks fantastic and makes the movie every bit more mysterious because you don't know what has escaped from the train car. Take friends and family to see it with you because some kids at my age are scared of things like this.
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AGE
"Go get the bar of soap."
My husband and I went to see it alone. I must be totally out of the loop with the way kids talk to each other now days, but the language doesn't fit the time period to me. Maybe I was just way to sheltered, but I never remember any of my friends cussing like that. Even now as an adult I was pretty taken back by how many times the "s" word was used and at least one very big "f" word. It has a good story to it, understand of peoples differences. It's just too bad that I can't take my kids to see it.
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Kid, 9 years old
June 12, 2011
AGE
Super 8 Review
This movie waas very good! I saw it in IMAX with my dad. I am only 8 years old when i saw this. Parents, you better watch out for the language. Yes, there is 1 f**k in the movie. Also, lots of violence, but only 1 moment with some gore. But, there is, I think, too much BLOOD. Yes, I'm only 8, but I've seen more PG-13 MOVIES than just this. Also, some characters drink/like beer. Overall, it's a great movie but to me, language is the big problem.But Warning: not only does this movie scare the life out of kids and teens, it could, very easily, scare a parent at any moment. But otherwise, this is a great movie and you should see it.
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | J.J. Abrams |
| Cast: | Elle Fanning, Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Run time: | 112 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 10, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | November 22, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and some drug use |
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