In celebration of the release of Super 8 on DVD and Blu-Ray, one of 2011's biggest films, let's take a look back at the hippest, coolest and most memorable young heroes in cinema from over the years.
Mikey Walsh The Goonies, 1985
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You could see this one coming from a mile away, couldn't you? Surrounded by a superb supporting cast, including Josh Brolin and Corey Feldman, Sean Austin's titular character 'Mikey' led the way for what would be a memorable and incredibly fun action adventure flick. Ageless, funny and jam-packed full of awesome set pieces, The Goonies defined a generation, fueled imagination and initiated adventure. For Mikey!
Atreyu The Neverending Story, 1984
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Wolfgang Peterson's epic 'The Neverending Story' is a brilliant fusion of fantasy, horror and adventure. The film technically has two heroes -- Bastian and Atreyu -- but it's the latter character that helps create a fantastic sense of adventure amidst a brilliant tale of deceit, emotion and faith.
Sam Emerson / Edgar Frog The Lost Boys, 1987
Get the Adobe Flash Player to see this video.The Corey's -- Corey Feldman and Corey Haim -- helped make the 80s bearable. These guys were pretty much in everything throughout the decade, from crappy comedies like Dream A Little Dream, to hilarious coming-of-age flicks such as License To Drive. They were at their best in The Lost Boys, a fantastic late-80s vampire flick that also stared Jason Patric. At a time when vampires were cool, the characters of Sam and Edgar -- although decisively different in personality -- complimented each other perfectly, indicative of just how great both Feldman and Haim were when on screen together.
Elliott E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, 1982
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Henry Thomas' Elliott character formed a formidable bond with E.T., a stranded alien from another world. Elliott's family's issues as well as his close bond with E.T. were drawn from director Steven Spielberg's parents divorce, with the film providing emotional commentary on the affects of divorce on young children. Elliott's affection for the alien gave the film an undeniable charm, which is why the film is so loved even to this day.
Joe Lamb Super 8, 2011
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Set in the summer of 1979, this J.J. Abrams-direction blockbuster hit all the right notes with movie-goers, namely because of the performances by the film's young cast. Joel Courtney led the way as Joe Lamb, a troubled young boy still reeling from the death of his mother. Joe and his friends are sucked into a mysterious military experiment after the group's 8mm camera records the mysterious derailment of a train carrying a horrifying science experiment. Action and adventure ensue, as Joe provides the leadership his friends need in a moment of such grand despair.
By Gaetano Prestia
What's your favourite young hero from over the years?
Super 8 launches on Blu-Ray and DVD on November 17.
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