Cloverfield
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Movie Reviews of Cloverfield
Movie Review: Intense and Awesome!
Summary: 5 Stars
First, I don't understand the barage of bad reviews because of the home video-like filming of the movie. This was one of the most publicized aspects of this film! This is not Godzilla or Alien vs. Predator or King Kong. The movie was made to capture the plight of a group of people as they try to escape the wrath of a huge monster destrying Manhattan.
That being said, this movie was better than I expected. And that's saying something, because I was amped to see this since the preview in front of Transformers.
I loved the home movie quality that started with a going away party for Rob. A party that had the normal scenes of a guy (Hud) shyly chasing after a hot girl (Marlena) and the tension between a guy and a girl that are obviously in love but won't talk to each other (Rob and Beth). Just as the Rob-Beth issue starts getting old, all hell breaks loose. From that point on the film is incredibly intense.
Glimpses of the monster are seen right away as it dismantles the city. We get a few closer looks of the creature as our heroes rush through the city. And I have to say, this monster is awesome. Nothing like Godzilla, King Kong, or anything ever seen destroying a city. I recommend watching the extras afterwards to hear the writer, director, and FX folks talking about it.
Without going into plot, I will say that I loved the story-line. Uncomplicated and straitfoward. Clover (as the monster is referred to by the director) is on the loose and wreaking havoc. Will our band of party goers make it out of the city? Will the creature be defeated? What the heck is the creature? It doesn't matter. This is one of the most original horror/thriller flicks in a long time. Intense, scary, funny, gory, and intense (did I say that already). I highly recommend this film...but remember, it's filmed camcorder-style.
Movie Review: Fascinating and frightening Sci-fi horror flick!
Summary: 5 Stars
New York resident Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David) has been offered a job in Japan, but before going on his trip he has planned a party with his friends like his girlfriend Beth (Oddette Yustman), his brother Jason (Mike Vogel), Jason's girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas), best pal Hud (T.J. Miller) and party animal Marlena (Lizzy Caplan) invited. During that night as they are having a great time especially using a DV camera to film the going away party their fun is suddenly is interuppted by a horrifying incident going on in the city as they flee out as they film what is going on. A hideous giantic monster of unknown origin attacks the big apple as now our five friends must flee the city, try to stay alive and find out what the military is up to all recorded on a camera.
Stylish and original Sci-fi horror thriller from J.J. Abrahams ("Transformers 2007" and "Lost") is one of the most unique and stunning films in recent memory. It uses a mockumentary-esque feel to it and makes you feel like your part of the movie too with it's DV camera filmmaking and good performances by the cast. This movie plays as a semi-realistic homage to the monster movies of yore and Japan of course, the film is kind of gory at times for a PG-13 rated movie and it's a heart-pounding and suspenseful shocker that never lets go. The monster designs are quite cool even with the little parasitic creatures, this movie launched a major hype campaign before it was released thanks to a clever teaser and movie poster. The film became an instant success and got some critical acclaim, i can't wait for the sequel coming out next year.
This DVD has some good extras like Widescreen presentation, audio commentary from the director, deleted scenes, alternate endings, outtakes, The Making of Cloverfield featurettes, and hidden research into Case Designate Cloverfield.
Movie Review: Best 9-11 film yet, and more
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll make this short since I really don't enjoy writing these durned Amazon reviews any longer:
1) The Cloverfield monster is the Id Monster from the 50s sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet (neat!)--gives one a lot to think about
2) The "shaky cam" is a novel way of introducing very imaginative and symbol-laden camera-work all while making it seem "natural" (to at least a 21st Century person). Nothing in this film is unplanned or random, including the white noise, jump cuts, and frequent visual chaos
3) I hope everyone saw the "thing" splash into the sea during the last flashback; the characters are so self-involved they don't even notice.
4)The whole film is greater than the sum of its parts and hits hard at a lot of contemporary culture and the modern mind-set. It's not about 9-11, it's about the national head-state.
5) Watch this with Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" and the first half hour of "Saving Private Ryan"--don't forget to watch Forbidden Planet too. Add in the much maligned "Southland Tales"--another great 9-11 film.
5) One of the sharpest flicks I've seen in a long time--almost an art film
6) Showed this to an interesting pack of people and they all thought it was a work of genius
Oh, Godzilla came out in 1954, nine years after the atomic bombings of Japan--this came out roughly seven years after 9-11. The movie is a fascinating take (or re-take) on the Godzilla fad as a social-psychological phenomenon. Our monster is just a lot more irrational.
Oh, reading the other reviews is painful
Oh, go into this film assuming the writer and director knew what they were doing
Movie Review: Shut off the lights, crank up the volume, and take 2 dramamine.
Summary: 5 Stars
I think Cloverfield was one of the scariest "monster" movies I have ever seen. It was also thoroughly entertaining, as well as, disturbing. Filming the entire movie from a hand-held point of view was nothing short of genious. The effect: it makes you feel as if you're there, part of the action, and not just an innocent spectator. But, there are other reasons why this movie is frightening: 1. there are no big-time actors that play the macho hero who saves the day, so you can't assume or expect that this is going to end well; 2. The new, basically unknown actors are more like everyday people you can closely identify with; 3. Like the actors, you have absolutely no idea what is happening or why this is happening. 4. There are no breaks from the intensity of the action, like changing camera angles or scenes. You are here, you don't know what is happening, people are dying all around you, there is mass confusion, there are no other points of view, say from the safety of the President's Oval office, or some high ranking general's bunker. In other words, you are given one, and only one, perspective. Unlike most other movies, which switch scenes to put you "in the know", Cloverfield gives no answers.
The special effects and sound effects are outstanding, and there is one particular scene that is just too intense to explain. Suffice it to say that when the military suddenly shows up blasting away at the thing, all hell breaks loose, and like the actors, all you'd want to do is duck & cover. Leave your pre-conceived ideas at the door, shut off the lights and crank up the volume. Enjoy !!
Movie Review: its greatest asset is most people's biggest complaint
Summary: 5 Stars
The handheld camera.. or at leased they make it feel like one(theres good picture quality, but it still feels like a homemovie).. in my opinion it puts the viewer right there with the characters in the movie. there are very few examples for this subgenre, if thats what you want to call it. Blair Witch Project and Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon come to mind.
this style of filming has been one of the best ideas in horror, because there are no other styles that make the terror and action feel so real. there were multiple times i got chills down my neck from this movie. its just.. intense.
but.. without the camerawork, it is little more than another monster movie, which isnt a bad thing. it would still be leagues above most in the genre.
it takes a little time to get to know the characters in the opening scenes. i found most of the characters very believable and engaging. i actually cared about their everyday lives, and past together.(the first time in a while a was fearing for characters lives. i usually like the "villains") it turns out one of our main characters is leaving to live in china or something for a while, and theres a surprise going away party for him. nows about the time to buckle your seatbelt..
simply put, this movie blew me away. the camera style locks you in for the ride, and wont let go till its over. my heart was racing throughout 90% of the movie. you really are right there with them, dealing with the situation in front of you.. it could be the wildest ride you ever have on the couch.