I just couldnt wait...couldnt wait. Just had to go walk into the nearest cinema and see this already on its first day of release. Screw the friends who want to see it over weekend. I just had to see it now.
And now I have seen it :) And yeah, I am wearing one mighty wide grin, so irrating that you would definitely want to punch my face in.
I love this movie. Its every everything I could want on a nostalgic trip from my favourite film makers of the past and present.
As Elliott and ET cycled across the moon followed by JJ Abram's Bad Robot logo, I was already filled with a highly unhealthy level of anticipation of being magically swept away by a Spielberg/Abrams/Giachhino collaberation. Michael Giachhinno's 3 note pulsating score over the logos only raised my anticipation levels even higher. Not good. I should never let me myself be hyped so much. Cant bloody help it. I was arrogantly perceiving this film to deliver every thing I want. So much so that I deserve to be dissapointed. I have no right to expect so much. But f*** me, it delivered everything I wanted...and more.
There is no denying that this film is literally a love letter to a bygone era of movies that knew how to cast a magic spell on its audience. But what a great love letter. I felt transported to an era that was less cynical, more innocent, more risky, more dangerous, an era that produced the best movies of the century...and the crappiest! Yes, I can spot every movie that each scene gives a nod to (well maybe not as many as Kevinknapman can spot) but I can spot a fair few. From the obvious ones such as...well you've all seemed to have already listed them, Stand by Me, ET, Goonies, Close Encounters, Jurrasic Park (havent seen anyone list that one!), Explorers, Lost Boys, Monster Squad...and even Salem's Lot. All the drama however felt very LOST like, especially with Giachhiano's similar score. But being a LOST fan, its a welcome mix.
The child protaganists were superb and the magic of the movie comes from them, from their childhood mixed emotions of confusion, loyalty, puberty, love, passion, bravery and cowardice were all filmed beautifully. The backdrop story of a monster on the loose was just that, a background story canvas that frames the main story of a group of kids trying to make a movie. But it was still a good mystery story with nice developments, not radical, and perhaps a tad predicatable.
I tell you what though. There is one thing I hate with a passion. I hated it ever since Abrams's Star Trek. I swear if I had money, I would set up a studio and a lawyer firm for 2 functions. 1: Studio's sole purpose to remove all f***ing lens flare from all JJ Abrams movies and re-release them. 2: For the best lawyer firm to defend my ass against Abram's copyright infringement. But I dont have the money. So we're f***ed unless I get donations.
I think these guys know where I am coming from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHqjmlM3 ... r_embedded
This was a fun, sweet, scary, well acted, super nostalgic monster movie 9/10 (1 point deducted for the f***ing overzealous and insane use of lens flare)
Very nice to meet you and hopefully will speak at future screenings,
Member No. 1 of the "100 free films in 2020" club. 7 seen 
Member No. 1 of the "100 free films in 2009 - 2019" clubs. 826 seen 
Member No. 1 of the "104 free previews in 2008" club. 92 seen 
