‘Cloverfield’ new perspective on monster flicks
Action-packed film proves a creative idea, but did it work?
2 1/2 stars out of 4
Posted on January22, 2008
If you’re looking for a classic monster movie, look no further than “Cloverfield.” It follows in the footsteps of all the classics with a unique style.
It begins with a group of young adults throwing a going away party for their friend Rob, (played by Michael Stahl-David) who is moving to Japan because of his job. Then something terrible happens and New York City is suddenly under attack. A monster-like creature (and no, it isn’t Godzilla) runs rampant through the city’s streets. Rob, with his brother Jason (played by Mike Vogel, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”), Jason’s girlfriend Lily (played by Jessica Lucas, “She’s the Man”), and their friends Hud (played by T.J. Miller) and Marlena (played by Lizzy Caplan, “Mean Girls”) attempt a desperate escape from the chaotic city.
From the mind of producer J.J. Abrams (“M:I 3,” “Lost” and “Alias”) comes the newest addition to the monster genre. What makes this one so unique and creative is the way it’s shot. The whole movie is filmed in a home-video style and the effect intensifies the realism factor. You see everything from the characters’ perspective. You become part of the group. When something bad happens to them, it feels like it’s happening to you as well.
Now if you want a real explanation of what or where this creature comes from, you aren’t going to get it. It’s very apparent half-way through the film that the film makers didn’t want to tell the audience the origin of this beast. It shows up out of nowhere and starts to demolish the city. Think of it like the old Nintendo game “Rampage.” It’s simply a creature tearing up buildings while an army tries to take it down. This time though, the creature can spit out or throw tiny versions of itself at people on the street.
Although the camera style gives it a unique vision, it doesn’t make any sense. The group runs around the city fighting off hellish creatures and dodging falling debris, like the head of the Statue of Liberty, while filming. No one in their right mind would take the time to record the whole thing; they would most likely want to have both hands free to defend themselves. The movie’s run time is just short of an hour and a half, there is only so much of a shaky camera one person can take.
It does, however, live up to the hype. It’s your typical late-night monster flick with a few creative twists and a new-age shooting style.
