Cloverfield Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

A rollercoaster ride from beginning to end

Some advice - if you haven't seen this film stop reading! It is best enjoyed with no preconceived ideas about plot, character or content beyond the few snippets of information that the trailers give. Just sit back and let the ride begin for one of the most exciting experiences to see on the screen. But if you MUST know more be warned - it will detract from the shock factor, which is a big part of 'Cloverfield'...

So, for those that have decided to read on, 'Cloverfield' is an excellent film and with a running time of only 90 minutes, is all the better as the pace is fast, thrilling and at times scary as hell. The effects are truly amazing, assuming you even notice them, as they are so integrated with the surroundings you have to pinch yourself to remember it isn't real. Because that's what this film is about - portraying a monster attack with a level of realism rarely seen in film. So real in fact that if you suffer from motion sickness you may want to have a bag at the ready as things get very 'bumpy' along the way.

Instead of a huge cast of characters, 'Cloverfield' instead focuses on the attempts of only five (later six) people to save their friend and get out of the city when a huge 'terrible thing' comes to town to eat the locals. This is Godzilla from the ground, and not a scientist or biologist in sight. And unlike that other big mean eating machine this one is neither green nor reptilian and is a lot scarier for it. This thing plows through buildings and is apparantly impervious to all harm. Oh, and comes with little friends...

Finding flaws with 'Cloverfield' is difficult. Many will complain about the simple story, the lack of explanations, and the non existent character development, as well as the fact that all the protagonists are essentially archetypes. But to judge the film on these gripes would be missing the point. This film is not meant to be intelligent or 'high art' - it's a monster movie, and a brilliant one at that. If you really like taut silences, and meaningful looks this film will disappoint. However if you're after an exciting ride and more 'bang for your buck', as it were, this is a definite must see.

Become one of the cast..

Cloverfield is a great step forward into cinema action, although it is entirely shot on camcorder it has none of the side effects shown in Blair witch, instead of seeing the story unfold around you, it gives the feeling of you being one of the characters. the cast is made from unknown actors that grants more realism, as you dont have any connection to them and they seem to be everyday Joes.

The beginning gets you involved in a light background of the main cast, who all meet up at a friends leaving party.. During the party tragedy strikes New York and you are thrown into a plot of survival with the friends you have become familiar with. There is also no reasoning in the plot, so none of the if, how and whys being asked, its all about survival against the worst odds.

The whole film is filled with action and excellent special effects, you have to watch it with the lights off and the sound up, just to get the extra fear out of the scary jump scenes.