Godzilla VS. the Blair Witch

Rating: 6/10 (16 October 2009)

What an achievement 'Cloverfield' was. From no-name actors, to no-name title, to one of the most influential advertising campaigns to the movie it mimicked: 'Blair Witch Project.' It also ranks as one of the shortest movies I've ever seen (actual screen time: 73 minutes) yet it seems 3x that. And this includes a 19 minute introduction that seems like 4x that. So, in total, you get a real 54 minutes of movie you wanted: Monster attacking NYC. Unfortunately, it's short on depth for characters, even with that lovey-dovey 19 minute prelude with yuppies we are supposed to care about, but don't. If anything, we care more about the fabulous view from their apartment(s) than their shallow lives. After the initial 19 shaky-camera minutes trying to find out who's who and why, you get an almost identical remake of the remake of 'Godzilla' (1998.) You're treated to a giant whatchamacalit who spawns off little creatures to get in those "hard-to-reach" areas the beast can't fit in. Okay, I liked the movie. It's fun, it's completely realistic; where there is complete chaos and without the news at your fingertips, you really don't know what's going on. You have to give it to the film makers to making possibly the most plausible monster B-Movie of all time. Unfortunately, even with (as mentioned) just 54 minutes of true footage, you get the feeling they stretched this out as thin as it would go. In addition, you get incredibly, and I mean down-right unbelievably stupid people to follow during this crisis. Half the movie is a senseless rescue mission. My friend and I made a pack following the film: if I were caught, leave me be, save yourself! Honestly, I would love to see a sequel, to learn more, but please drop the camera.