Cloverfield (2008)

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Let's be realistic.

Did you people see the same film I saw?

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I can take a shaky camera, but this is beyond bad. You can close your eyes for 20 to 30 seconds at a time and not miss anything. Nothing in this movie makes any sense. Just a cheap hand held camera with a group of teenagers running around the city in a panic. Bad acting, horrible special effects, and beyond bad cinematography. Don't waste your time - the Internet hype is the only reason this film was financially successful.

I've only recently grown accustomed to Found Footage films, giving them a chance as a Horror enthusiast who ran out on other Netflix options. I'm not yet a fan, but having recently had some positive experiences and remembering the finer qualities of 10 Cloverfield Lane, I've decided to check out the film that gave birth to J. J. Abrams "Cloververse". Wow, was I ever in for a surprise.Cloverfield tells the story of a group of friends in their mid-twenties, celebrating protagonist Rob (Michael Stahl-David)'s move to Japan after receiving a big promotion. As the exposition progresses, it's made apparent that Rob is in love with Beth (Odette Annable), and the film jumps between the currently documented events and previous events filmed prior on the same tape (showing Rob and Beth). Suddenly, something huge and unnatural attacks Manhattan, and the group attempts to run for their lives while doing their best to save each other.So far everything sounds corny, banal and mediocre, but trust me, it's everything but. Everything I dislike about Found Footage is beautifully improved upon in Cloverfield: the acting and characters feel authentic without presumptuous tendencies of being "overly real", the plot actually makes sense (minus, of course, the huge 1950's monster), and mty favorite - there is actually a legitimate explanation as to why on earth they keep the camera rolling while running for their lives (which is a lot more that the human crave for attention despite all logic).Cloverfield got me really immersed, at the edge of my seat hoping for the characters' success and love's victory over disaster. Again, sounds corny, but I couldn't help myself. I was on edge the entire film (since the attack) and haven't for one moment felt anything ruining my suspense of disbelief (and I'm a cynical douche at times, especially when it comes to Horror, I have no idea how this film managed to disarm me so, but it did). It's been a while since I've watched a Horror film that felt like it ended too soon for me (not because it did, but because I enjoyed it so much). I'm in absolute awe of how fun great watching this was. Also, without giving any spoilers, the final touch is given towards the end of the credits, so stay tuned!It is of course a matter of opinion. Some of you might hate this film, others might find it to be mediocre at best (a phrase I have used often to describe numerous Horror films), but I simply won't be able to forgive myself if I don't wholeheartedly recommend that you quit reading my fanboy rambling and go watch this. I envy you for being about to experience this film for the first time.

'Cloverfield' is a smart and engaging found-footage monster horror that will keep its viewers on edge. The team of director Matt Reeves, producer J.J. Abrams and writer Drew Goddard create a great horror flick that is surprisingly unpredictable and one of the tensest films I have seen in a while. The well-thought out pacing enables it's viewers to know just enough about the main characters to care about them, so when the action starts you're actually hoping that the characters will make it. Character establishment is an important aspect of any film, particular horrors because the audience needs to have some sort of attachment to it's characters in order for them to actually enjoy the movie because you have people you want to root for. From the very moment that the terror begins, it essentially doesn't stop, resulting in that edge-of-your-seat feeling that we all love. The fact that the entire film is done in an amateur manner, through a shaky camcorder, helps the viewer immerse into the film and it adds a sense of reality. Therefore, when the scares come, they are nothing short of frightening. However, this film did have a few flaws as some scenes seemed rather far-fetched, particularly at the end, which broke the sense of realism. There was also some predictability, but it was balanced with a few moments that were surprising.

I really love this movie, the suspense, the mystery, as well as the action, are just awesome to me. I especially like the found footage style, and would recommend this movie to everyone. However, you probably won't want to watch if you get motion sickness, as there is a lot of fast jerks of the camera in this movie!