7. And Even Better Characters
From Kirk and Spock's tender bromance to that kid who starts fires in Super 8, Abrams knows how to make memorable characters. Super 8 may be the first monster movie where audiences didn't want the monster to show up - all it did was interrupt a rather good coming-of-age story. True, Abrams may paint his characters in broad strokes, but they're clearly defined on the page. There's something for actors to sink their teeth into. Abrams has shown a talent for smart casting and making sure his actors aren't lost in all the action and special effects. Despite some story issues in Star Trek and Super 8, both films hold up on repeat viewings thanks to well-written characters and even better performances. Abrams' Gordon Freeman probably won't be the Gordon Freeman we imagined. But if he's anything like Abrams' previous protagonists, it won't take long for audiences to get on his side.