A group of kids are filming a zombie movie on a Super 8 camera, when a train crashes and marks the starting point for a lot of strange activity in their small town.

I got totally swept up in this era and setting. 1979 small town America made me long for a childhood like these children had… well despite the loss of family and high chance of death.

The cast made this film work so well for me. Joel Courtney who plays the lead role has no other IMDB credits which makes him a new talent to watch. Elle Fanning along with her peers are also great. (Elle is particularly talented as a zombie.)

The rest of the film’s elements fall into place so well. For 45 Million they’ve put on an impressive production with good special effects and detailed sets. The film is genuinely tense and boasts a truly exhilarating train disaster that’s a stand-out in the film.

The creature in the film is probably a bit too similar to that of Abrams other film alien in “Cloverfield”, but that’s hardly a complaint and certainly doesn’t hold back what is such a magical, touching, exciting and well-written film that was a joy to watch.

I suspect this will remain among my favourite films of the year.

4.5/5 stars.