©Bad Robot
Reviewed Format: Theatrical Release
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman
Writer: Drew Goddard
Director: Matt Reeves
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Cloverfield
By: LinnieGDate: Sunday, February 10, 2008
While I did get to see this film for free (because I work at a movie theatre), I was a little skeptical about it at first. I had heard that it was "basically Godzilla again," and I couldn't help remembering how lame America's first attempt at recreating the famous Japanese movie monster was. Still, I filled my sensible handbag with candy, found a seat by the exit (just in case), and settled in.
"Cloverfield" blew me away.
Now I'm not big on monster movies. I'm not a horror film afficionado, either. Nonetheless, "Cloverfield" was a damn good premise that was actually well-executed and crafted into a believable, scary movie.
A group of people throw their friend a going away party when all of a sudden, a gigantic monster attacks New York City. In the midst of the chaos, one of the partygoers never bothers putting down the video camera he's been using to doccument his friend's going-away gala, and inadvertently winds up recording the whole terrifying ordeal.
It's like "The Blair Witch," only better because we care about these characters and the monster chasing them is actually scary. The true beauty of "Cloverfield" is that it's scary in a very subtle way; we can't get a good clear shot of the monster because everyone is running away from it and the camera is moving too much. It's a great effect (except when you eat all the candy that you've crammed into your purse, I would not reccomend eating anything during a screening of "Cloverfield" unless you've got a stomach of steel).
There is a stinger after the film, but it really isn't worth waiting around for. The credits are obnoxiously long. The stinger can be found on "Cloverfield"'s IMDB page, so check it out there after you've seen the movie.
Click here to read the staff review by Mania.
I would like to know more of why you enjoyed this movie. It just seems more of I liked it, and thats it. It was scary and reminded you of the Blair Witch Project.