Cloverfield on DVD (2007)

A rollercoaster ride from beginning to end

Vivacia from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 18/01/2008

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.

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The Blair Witch Project with Tenticals

dougthom from Crawley,UK [Highly rated reviewer] , 03/02/2008

The cliche of mounting a camera on a rubber pole was copied from The Blair Witch Project but now is exagerated and unnatral - it is not possible in real life to have the camera spinning so much. It is hard to imagine it as 'a great step forward in cinemimatic action'. Unless Blair Witch Project does Manhatten is a step up from some woodland, or did 'Cloverfield' cost the same to make as Blair Witch ?

Anyone with a brain would point it in the direction of the filming. A few people left the theater with motion sickness it was that bad (I wished I joined them). So if we add The Blair Witch Project and Godzilla with some CGI you think the CGI would benefit the movie - no not at all. How about a script? It is meant to be in a documentary format and the guy opperating the camera has no idea of what he is doing(yawn), well that bit is lame as well. The only redeaming feature of his role is his sense of humor that rescues this movie. The monster looks like something out of Scilent Hill but you could not really tell, subtle CGI then? So this movie shows what happens when there is a writers strike on in hollywood when you still need to make movies. I was so looking forward to this movie, but my heart sank after the first 10mins. At the end of the movie you ask - is that it? I look forward to the remake of this movie. War of the Worlds this is not. Once you take away the noise of the wabble camera, you are left with the script and CGI. Some moments of the CGI are worth (but negated due to the camera use), the scipt - I wonder how compelling the book was? Best wait till this is on DVD or ideally dont pay to see this movie. The only redeaming part of the movies were the trailers for some ace movies coming up such and 'Jumpers' , Ironman( how many Marvel comics are there?) and 'Enterprise'.

Watched this in HD - No point! As the 'camcorder' it was recorded in is sub VHS.

I watched this second time around and could not take more than 30mins without hitting Fast Forward. It does have good 5.1 sound (not available on the 'CamCorder' strangely enough).

This movie has the promise to be so good, but you will leave it feeling cheated.

It being on HD is just taking the piss out of you and as you pay for the abuse.

All I can suggest is check out the 5 star votes from the others and see if you share their taste.

A movie is stark contrast to this (quality, script, constrcution&execution) is 'I Am Legend - Wil Smith ' which as the same ambiance as this movie, the same settings, could almost be just around the block - but what a contrast. Maybe then get both these movies out and watched them back to back?

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Lost?

SLCpunk [Highly rated reviewer] , 04/02/2008

Yep i believed the hype! Yep once again i was dissapointed, grr why do i let it get me everytime!!

Forgive me if i'm wrong but i thought the whole idea of doing a film with handheld cameras was to input some realism into the film, not an excuse to do a monster movie on a tighter budget.

I loved Blair Witch mainly because it understood that to do a film this way, you would need characters you cared about and situations, that no matter how unbelieveable, felt realistic due to the characters.

This film would've lost nothing if it had been filmed like Mann's Miami Vice with DV cam's to bring a gritty realism. It artistically has no point and gains nothing from being shot from the handheld pov. The only reason i can think of for it to filmed this way is to save money. It tries to be sujestive with the majority of the money shots off camera or so blurred due to shakeage that you cant make out a thing. However once you see the monster, hats off, its a great creation.

Other gripes i have with it:

Why is the monster everywhere the cardboard characters are? It just lumbers around the city and always seems to turn up where they are. Shouldnt it really have a goal or something? What, does it like getting shot at?

The Monster makes a massive amount of noise moving and growling, yet somehow manages to sneak up on one of the main characters? Come on atleast try to keep some realism.

Some of the 'monster jumps out' moments are pointless.

There is too much in the heat of the film with nothing happening where, i think, you're meant to relate and feel for these annoying characters.

Characters with poles stuck through them miraculously heal.

Only the main characters survive a helicopter crash.

To be honest even i'll agree i'm being a bit harsh. But when you film on handheld pov the dynamic dictates realsim.

Once you've given up on this being a gritty, realistic film Hud actually becomes quite amusing and keeps you entertained while you wait for the next glimpse of the monster.

Why 3 stars? Well once you've abandoned all hope of this being what the trailers and viral marketing sold you its quite a thrilling film. Advertising people need to sell films for what they are not what will get people through the doors.

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Become one of the cast..

CtrlF5 from London , 18/01/2008

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.

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Customer Review

A customer from UK , 23/06/2008

Yes I felt a bit sick when I first saw it at the cinema but I would recommend this film because it's unique. I have just watched it again on DVD and enjoyed it more the second time - no sickness maybe because it's on a 42inch instead of cinema screen.

I agree with some comments that the first part of the film is a bit unnecessary but as soon as the action starts it will have you on the edge of your seat.

Look out for the bit at the end which might explain where the monster came from, but blink and you will miss it.

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handhelds again!

TedZonk from Falkirk [Highly rated reviewer] , 10/07/2008

Film starts really slowly with first 15-20 minutes being a complete waste of time. The use of a handheld camera throughout the whole film was detrimental, in my opinion. I'm fed up with film-makers using this so called technique. Come on, be serious - I would have turfed the camera in the nearest bin if my life was in danger, not carry it around like a japanese tourist.

The story itself was an interesting one (which I won't go into), but the way it was shown made me feel let down. Lots of loose ends which it would have been nice if they elaborated on them. Maybe the director ran out of batteries?

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