Cloverfield

I saw Cloverfield a couple of weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. I had my doubts about seeing it at first, seeing as how I’m a big wimp and hate scary movies. But, I’ve got to say, I’m glad I went and, given the chance, I’d probably watch it again (although not if I had to pay movie theater prices – holy crap have you seen those lately?!).

For those who have had their heads buried in sand (or snow, as the case may be), Cloverfield is basically supposed to be the United States’ Godzilla movie. A monster arrives in New York City and destroys everything, unable to be killed by guns or bombs. We follow around a set of friends who are still hanging on to the video camera they were using to film a going-away party (to Japan, no less – anybody else see the irony here?). The friends, instead of leaving New York escorted by the military like sane people, run back to the center of the city in a desperate attempt to find a girl who may or may not still be alive. Of course, along the way we get several good glimpses of the monster (although never a shot that puts its entire being completely and clearly into view) and the mini-monsters that appear to be falling from its body and attacking even more people.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll stop there with the synopsis. Suffice it to say that you should pay attention to the home-video clips that are shown throughout from weeks before the attack, and if you are one who likes to stay until the end of the credits, you should listen for one last message, although you may have to look it up anyway, since it seems to be a sentence played backwards. This 84 minute movie (because that’s when the camera battery dies, get it?) is supposed to be one of the last pieces of evidence found after the attack, and you’re watching it as if you’re analyzing the tape as a means to understand exactly what happened in New York. Beware, though. If you are prone to motion sickness, this movie may not be the best idea for you, at least not while it’s still on the big screen. The entire thing is shot home-movie style, and I challenge you to find a more shaky videographer.

4 out of 5 stars for a great idea and storyline and likable yet somewhat underdeveloped characters, but not viewer-friendly for those prone to motion-sickness.