Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 09/16/2008 Run time: 84 minutes Rating: Pg13
One of the first things a viewer notices about Cloverfield is that it doesn't play by ordinary storytelling rules, making this intriguing horror film as much a novelty as an event. Told from the vertiginous point-of-view of a camcorder-wielding group of friends, Cloverfield begins like a primetime television soap opera about young Manhattanites coping with changes in their personal lives. Rob (Michael Stahl-David) is leaving New York to take an executive job at a company in Japan. At his goodbye party in a crowded loft, Rob's brother Jason (Mike Vogel) hands a camcorder to best friend Hud (T.J. Miller), who proceeds to tape the proceedings over old footage of Rob's ex-girlfriend, Beth (Odette Yustman)--images shot during happy times in that now-defunct relationship. Naturally, Beth shows up at the party with a new beau, bumming Rob out completely. Just before one's eyes glaze over from all this heartbreaking stuff (captured by Hud, who's something of a doofus, in laughably shaky camerawork), the unexpected happens: New York is suddenly under attack from a Godzilla-like monster stomping through midtown and destroying everything and everybody in sight. Rob and company hit the streets, but rather than run with other evacuees, they head toward the center of the storm so that Rob can rescue an injured Beth. There are casualties along the way, but the journey into fear is fascinating and immediate if emotionally remote--a consequence of seeing these proceedings through the singular, subjective perspective of a camcorder and of a story that intentionally leaves major questions unanswered: Who or what is this monster? Where did it come from? The lack of a backstory, and spare views of the marauding creature, are clever ways by producer J.J. Abrams and director Matt Reeves to keep an audience focused exclusively on what's on the screen. But it also makes Cloverfield curiously uninvolving. Ultimately, Cloverfield, with its spectacular effects brilliantly woven into a home-video look, is a celebration of infinite possibilities in this age of accessible, digital media. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
What a waste:
Unfortunately I wasted money on this movie in the theater against my better judegement. I could have dealt with the hand-held camera perspective if you actually got to see something. You never really got a good look at much worthwhile. And you never found out what the monster really was which leads me to think that a part 2 is waiting which has no chance in my opinion. The story was just awful, there was none. If you want to watch a freaky movie check out The Happening. Cloverfield has nothing to offer.
What else would you expect?:
For a catastrophic event movie, it is unique in that it restricts the perspective of events to the limited knowledge, perspective and insight of a (seemingly) randomly selected point of view. The sense of photo-realism is unique with the filming style (personal video unit perspective) but the behavior acting is not very realistic. The acting is subordinate to the suspense plot. Special effects inject a setting of compelling surrealism. The compelling question in the acting drama is whether in extreme... more info
Did Not Suck:
Good for a thrill. Not as original as it was made out to be, just the same concept as Godzilla on the loose in Tokyo with better SPFX. Creepiest scenes were those atop a tall, leaning residential building, and on a crowded bridge at night. How the actual story was told---via camcorder---was a nice touch. Has some good moments. Worth the rent, not worth owning unless you get it on the cheap. I hear by now Vinnie in the back alley on Seventh Street has a few good copies...
GARBAGE:
One of the worst films I've ever seen. Supposedly filmed with a handheld video recorder. I believe it, the worst camera that has ever been made. Picture quality is poor throughtout; very little of the 'monster' shown. Poor storyline, poor acting.
Deserves no stars.
Save your money, and your time.
