Cloverfield (2008)

I've only recently grown accustomed to Found Footage films, giving them a chance as a Horror enthusiast who ran out on other Netflix options. I'm not yet a fan, but having recently had some positive experiences and remembering the finer qualities of 10 Cloverfield Lane, I've decided to check out the film that gave birth to J. J. Abrams "Cloververse". Wow, was I ever in for a surprise.Cloverfield tells the story of a group of friends in their mid-twenties, celebrating protagonist Rob (Michael Stahl-David)'s move to Japan after receiving a big promotion. As the exposition progresses, it's made apparent that Rob is in love with Beth (Odette Annable), and the film jumps between the currently documented events and previous events filmed prior on the same tape (showing Rob and Beth). Suddenly, something huge and unnatural attacks Manhattan, and the group attempts to run for their lives while doing their best to save each other.So far everything sounds corny, banal and mediocre, but trust me, it's everything but. Everything I dislike about Found Footage is beautifully improved upon in Cloverfield: the acting and characters feel authentic without presumptuous tendencies of being "overly real", the plot actually makes sense (minus, of course, the huge 1950's monster), and mty favorite - there is actually a legitimate explanation as to why on earth they keep the camera rolling while running for their lives (which is a lot more that the human crave for attention despite all logic).Cloverfield got me really immersed, at the edge of my seat hoping for the characters' success and love's victory over disaster. Again, sounds corny, but I couldn't help myself. I was on edge the entire film (since the attack) and haven't for one moment felt anything ruining my suspense of disbelief (and I'm a cynical douche at times, especially when it comes to Horror, I have no idea how this film managed to disarm me so, but it did). It's been a while since I've watched a Horror film that felt like it ended too soon for me (not because it did, but because I enjoyed it so much). I'm in absolute awe of how fun great watching this was. Also, without giving any spoilers, the final touch is given towards the end of the credits, so stay tuned!It is of course a matter of opinion. Some of you might hate this film, others might find it to be mediocre at best (a phrase I have used often to describe numerous Horror films), but I simply won't be able to forgive myself if I don't wholeheartedly recommend that you quit reading my fanboy rambling and go watch this. I envy you for being about to experience this film for the first time.

Cloverfield is a good film. Like The Blair Witch Project it puts you in the midst of the action with a camcorder. This is good because the immediacy of the situation is well realized and the chaos truly captured. In a nutshell a giant creature wrecks havoc on the big apple(yet again) and we are with a group of 20 somethings when it happens. The pacing is what makes this film- I remember watching for the first 20 minutes nothing happens and then once the carnage begins it's a roller coaster. The actors are all adequate and the effects are quite good. If you want good entertainment Cloverfield is the movie for you.

A first-person-type movie... familiar? Yeah, let's not talk about the fact that this idea has already been done by other movies, as long as it's done good. So, what we got here is a giant monster and its origins are unknown. Initially I presumed it is an aquatic creature - I noticed the tentacles and at some point in the movie, even some kind of external gills near its head; but then, I saw its incredibly non-hydrodynamic body... maybe from outer space? It actually doesn't matter; it matters that it's huge... and it's on the rampage! The characters in this movie are pretty well-contoured and credible. In a giant monster/disaster movie, its greatest challenge is to aim at the reaction of masses during any form of cataclysm. Where "2012" failed, this one succeeded. Well, I'm talking about loosing sanity, the well-known self-preservation behavior etc (See "The mist", a movie which relies more on that than the creatures themselves). Oh, I forgot to mention the subliminal messages scattered throughout this movie; all I'm gonna say is "Them!", "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms", "King Kong", and also something crucial that happens at the end of the movie. Do the research yourself!

This movie is just terrible. The camerawork is awful and the story is paper thin. The CGI effects haven't aged well either.