movie review: super 8

If you're into The Goonies, you'll love this film. If you're into special effects, you'll love this film. If you're into action, emotion or sci-fi, you'll love this film. To say Super 8 has something for everyone wouldn't be off the mark.

Following a tantalizing string of teasers, gossip and trailers, the long-awaited Abrams- Spielberg collaboration finally debuted last night and certainly hit the spot. We've had a gaping hole in our lives since the finale of Lost and the hyperbolic hype of Cloverfield, so a gripping sci-fi thriller was well overdue.

A movie within a movie, this period flick centers around some mysterious happenings in '70s Ohio. The film follows a group of friends and their attempt to make a zombie movie for a contest. Roping in the help of popular classmate Alice (Elle Fanning), the group witnesses a freak train crash and things start to get weird. This is when the nostalgic "kids saving the world" idea arises, taking cues from classic Spielberg projects like Stand By Me and E.T.

It might star some fresh-faced actors, but you'd be wrong to think this film is just for kids. Chosen specifically by Abrams, talent clearly runs in the family with Elle Fanning. She was just 12 at the time of filming, but her acting skills are seriously impressive. With an underlying love story as well as comedic one-liners, the movie has emotion that's sure to remind you of your younger self.

Keeping you on the edge of your seat and placing a lump in your throat (and embarrassingly, even made me scream a little bit), this one is definitely worth a watch. Thanks to awesome special effects and eerie score, the film maintains a sense of mystery with an adventure theme that I couldn't help but want to be part of- minus the zombie and train crash sections, obviously.

With an engrossing plot, fresh cast, and even a brief love triangle, Super 8 has just upped the stakes for summer's best blockbuster.