If you guys are still in the dark about the film, Cloverfield is about a giant monster attacking Manhattan all seen through the lens of a very very very durable hand-held camera with amazing battery life. Finally watching my cousin play Counter Strike actually proved useful for this one because of the shaky quality of the video which may give you motion sickness so be warned!
But in my opinion, telling a story through a first-person's point of view is probably the most brilliant idea in movie making because it plunges you directly into the scene of the film; like you are actually in it. Yeah you may get sick but you'll get used to it.
Think The Blair Witch Project and Godzilla and you will get Cloverfield. This film has been hyped for a few months via viral market and by speculations of the monster itself. And did it live up to it's hype? My answer is OH GOD YES! I don't watch a lot of monster films but Cloverfield is by far the most intense monster film I have ever seen in my life. After the initial 15 minute character introduction, the film turns gritty and does not go for 5 minutes without a HOLY SHIT I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING moment.
Now the acting is pretty decent and all the characters are given the equal amount of screen time though the main attraction of the movie is the movie itself. The film literally keeps you at the edge of your seat because it just seems so real that you just can't help but feel like a part of the movie. The presentation is brilliant,using only the the sounds all around as the background music which adds to the realistic effect of the movie.
Other than that, the special effects are some of the most seamless stuff you'll ever see in a film. The monster itself is actually not seen in its entirety only being viewed from different angles for the audience to piece it together as the survivors themselves are, so you pretty much know as much as they do about everything going on making you actually feel like you're there.
The film is downright scary and gritty with all the destruction and death around but it does pull a few comedic moments at times, mainly by the guy who was filming the video. Other than that, Cloverfield is one intense work of art best if seen in a packed theater just to hear the audiences reactions. Admittedly the shock value will wane after multiple viewings but for what it's worth Cloverfield is an excellent film and by far the best monster movie of the 21st century.
RATING: 8/10
P/S: Wait till after the end credits and listen very carefully. Tell me what you heard on my CBox.
