Movie Review: Super 8 (12A) * * * * *

Super-8 did just that and had me engrossed from start to finish.

All I knew prior to the film was that it was a bout a group of friends who watch a horrific train crash whilst recording their own film, and that's when everything starts getting weird.

There's not too much that can be said about the storyline without giving plenty away so I will avoid going down that route.

The main thing you need to know about this film is that it's a real joy, directed by JJ Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg the quality is unquestionable.

It is set in the 70's, a perfectly atmospheric and visually brilliant 70's.

However it feels just like one of Steven Spielberg's 80's films, the leanings towards the Goonies can't be accidental.

The group of excellent young actors have a fantastically sharp and witty script at their disposal and you will laugh out loud on many occasions.

They have some meaty acting scenes too though with a rollercoaster journey of high-drama, emotion and adventure.

I was most impressed with how quickly the characters are fleshed out, very early in the film you connect with them.

In essence the film is a movie within a movie with the kids filming their own Super-8 movie only for it to lead to something much bigger.

The supernatural element to the film I will leave unexplained needless to day you never quite know where you are with the film.

It's not hugely complex though and is very easy to follow, kids over the age of 12 will love it, but there are a few 'jumpy' moments.

I smiled through most of the film mainly due to the script but also because it has a really charming feel to it which restores your faith in quality blockbusters.

The 70's setting and the 80's vibe are perfectly complimented by the impressive bang up-to-date special effects.

The disaster scene at the start actually prompted me to say 'wow' when it was all over, wonderfully filmed and epic in every sense of the word. Seeing it on the big IMAX screen
just brought that home even more.

I loved this film, it has all the elements a great film needs, the constant shift from genre to genre is nicely done. One minute you are watching a coming of age film, then a comedy, then a horror and even a sci-fi.

The pairing of JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg is a marriage made in heaven.

Fans of the old Spielberg classics will sit with a smile on their face at some of the in-jokes and the fact that this clearly has been sprinkled with some of the same old magic.

Super-8 is running at the IMAX at Millennium Point throughout August tickets priced at £10 adults and £8 concessions. More information at www.imax.ac

You can read the review by Sunday Mercury Film Editor Roz Laws in this weekend's paper.