"Not just a guy in a rubber suit. - 01/23/08"
I went to see "Cloverfield" today. And it's not your Daddy's "Godzilla" that's for sure. Well not, at least, until the closing credits. What could have been a blase, run of the mill giant monster story, turns out to be an exciting & scary "in the moment" action flick. And there's a touch of humor & love thrown in to make it connect with the audience.
I avoided spoilers and reviews prior to seeing the movie, and that helped a lot. I had no pre-conceptions of what was going to happen and was therefore genuinely surprised and thrilled by the ensuing carnage and not-quite-nausea inducing footage.
Using all hand held "camcorder" footage adds to the paranoia and realism of the story. Watching from the perspective of someone caught up in the unfolding terror makes for a much more intimate viewing experience. Like the characters in the story we, the audience, don't know what the heck is going on. Quick glimpses of NYC being pummeled, flashes of something rampaging through midtown, and dirt and dust filled scenes keep the viewer just off balance enough to keep you nervous, engaged and curious. I don't know what it is about wrecking New York City that so fascinates us, but it works it's movie magic here again.
You can't escape the flesh crawl eeriness of 9/11-like destruction and fear. Nor can you escape the homage to "Godzilla", "Beast from 20,000 Fathoms", and many other classic monster movies. And I think that's why it succeeds where most fail, It takes the familiar and spins it. Giving you what you might have been expecting, but in an unexpected way.
"Cloverfield" was produced by "LOST"s J.J. Abrams and directed by "Felicity" alum Matt Reeves. And while I missed Greg Grunberg ("Star Trek" maybe?), I did get my daily dose of Michael Giacchino.
I give it a solid B+
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