Kind of crap

Rating: 3/10 (25 April 2008)

SPOILERS EVERYWHERE--RIGHT OFF THE BAT--CAUTION ADVISED
For me, monster movies are about Zombies. I also like Aliens, Predator, AVP, slashers, shooters, and usually weird monsters that almost have a category of their own.
What I DID LIKE about this movie: The way that it was filmed definitely intensified the action and gave it a unique, new feel to what we're used to seeing. I liked that the characters were younger, college aged people, and that their dialogue was authentic even given the bizarre situation they found themselves in. I like that despite it being a horror-suspense movie there is still an obvious love story guiding it. Obviously, had it not been for the love part, the kids would have left the city and been safe, presumably, and the movie would have been worse than it was. Also, it helped that Beth was moderately attractive. If she had been plain Jane or just unattractive, we would have chanted, "let her die." Oh, and I liked that the kid filming everything was the token douche-bag, nerd that would totally ask dumb and terrifically inappropriate questions.
What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie: There is a movie from Korea, Gwoemul (The Host, 2006), that other than the cinematography, has a very similar plot line. This made Cloverfield not seem as original. Frankly, the monsters weren't really that scary. The whole premise was that the monster attack was centralized to one locale. The easy solution, leave the city. It may have been more frightening if it had been a pandemic and if the monster didn't look like a turtle-squid-dinosaur. The little shedding crab monsters were scarier, but just barely. Even though it was a love story, it wasn't a very good one. People in love are always compelled to do outrageous things when their love knows no bound. In this case, it seemed expected, and because we weren't privy to the whole account of their love, as we were told that they were best friends, then it is slightly less believable. A real "love story", which incorporates insane acts of proving his love, in a hideously taboo sort of way, is Old Boy, although I expect many arguments hereI'm just saying.
All in all, I wasn't impressed, shocked, horrified, or even moved by the love part. I didn't like this movie. I'll re-watch it to see if some new emotion comes forth, but I'm not expecting one. I'm a little surprised that everyone seems to like this movie and even the other I mentionedGwoemul. I didn't really like that either. It seemed a little hokey.
Hope this was helpful. I'm definitely in the minority of opinions here, so it may be a new light for you.
I typed very fast, so I apologize for grammatical errors and the like.