A very, very above average movie.

Rating: Null/10 (24 April 2008)

First of all, many many people bashed this movie for its "cheap" cinematography and acting. Coming into it, I honestly did not have very high expectations. But I must say, this is easily one of the most satisfying films I have seen this year. The camera work gave a sense of immediacy and suspense that was not present in the Blair Witch Project, which this film is often compared to, and the characters seemed pretty real and easy to identify with. I am admittedly not an Abrams fan, but this is a cut above his usual work. The special effects were excellent, the characters were pretty believable (despite several disappointing, cheezy lines), and the experience itself was totally thrilling. With Juno, the Coen Brothers, and Jesse James, this was a great year for cinema, but I definitely think Cloverfield is a film that should not be overlooked.