Release Date: 01-18-08 Studio: Paramount Pictures MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Horror •
Action •
Scifi Director: Matt Reeves Writers: Drew Goddard Cast: Jessica Lucas, Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman, T.J. Miller, Lizzy Caplan Synopsis: Revolves around a monster attack in New York as told from the point of view of a small group of people. The Review: Do you like being nauseous? Have you been hankering for a seizure? Do you like to stumble out of the movie theater as though you're on the ass end of a night of beer and schnapps? (See M for details)
Then CLOVERFIELD is the movie for you! I have never been so physically affected by a trip to the movies. It's more of a ride than just a film. I think I have whiplash this morning. I don't know what I expected from this movie, but whatever I expected, it wasn't.
The hand held aspect was more pervasive than I realized it would be. Every bit of the movie, hence the sickness inducing. But it actually looks really good, gives a nice first person perspective, and keeps the movie from falling in to the trap of film-technique-of-the-day. Hand held has been done, but not quite like this. The cool thing is that hand held makes the effects a hell of lot more special. It adds a realism that you can't get with high-gloss, digital, super-cg. The only draw back (aside from the roiling stomach) is that it leaves out the sweeping views of the city being smashed to bits.
I love destruction. I also love monsters. I usually don't get enough of either. CLOVERFIELD didn't quite fulfill me in these areas (nothing could), but it did a pretty good job. My biggest question was whether the monster would be big enough. I kept thinking of Homer's disappointment when he went to Australia. He ordered one of those big beers he'd heard so much about, only to find it wasn't nearly as big as he'd hoped. I wasn't too disappointed, though. It's pretty fucking big. And scary. Of course, we don't see it as much as I'd like. I wanted a moment of audience-shocking disclosure, like when we first see the aliens in Signs, but it kind of gradually introduces you to the creature, which remains kind of ill defined, I guess leaving some to the imagination. (I generally like to leave my imagination at the door when I see a movie, giving it a rest as I immerse myself in someone else's fantasy life.) Also, if a monster eats people, I'd better see a bunch of people getting eaten! But I did like the little fella. It was cute. And I want a toy.
The cast isn't too bad. They're a little bit b-movie. There are moments during which the actors seem to be thinking "be quiet, I'm trying to act!" but those are the schmaltzy moments, of which there aren't many. (Though always too much in this type of movie--who cares? On with the monster!) I will say this- Lizzy Caplan (formerly of the short-lived CBS sitcom The Class) rocks. She is beautiful and talented, and I hope to see her a lot more in the future.
I don't really want to give a lot of specific details, I'll leave that to my spoiler loving partner (See Erichs Review). I think CLOVERFIELD should be seen, or rather experienced, with as little info as possible. Not that there are surprises aplenty, but it is something that hasn't been done in this way before. A twist on an old classic you could say. To sum up, it's a darn good movie. I plan to see it again soon. After taking some dramamine. Seriously, they should have a warning at the beginning. Rating:
