Cloverfield (2008) ***1/2

Rating: 8/10 (23 January 2008)

You'd never know it by its generic title, but this is actually one of the finest films about a giant monster destroying a big city ever made. The entire "movie" is captured on someone's camcorder a la THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (and recovered, we learn at the start of the film, from "what was once Central Park"), as a secured government document of the tragic events which a small group of twenty-somethings experienced first-hand. What begins as a harmless home video party at a club in New York City abruptly turns into a long night of mass destruction and decimation, as some type of unexplained creature devastates Manhattan. This is not so much a movie about the creature as it is an intense and downright unnerving POV exercise that puts us as viewers into the chaos. Some scenes play very much like that fateful day of 9/11/01, and any person who witnessed that paralyzing event of buildings collapsing and smoke and debris gushing down the avenues will likely be revisiting the visuals in their minds.
I've heard people complaining of nausea and dizziness over the filming technique, but the camcorder craziness didn't bother me as I knew what the movie was trying to do and I just went with it. The special effects here are outstanding, and the monster is never shown all that much to ruin the illusion. I'd also call CLOVERFIELD one of the more genuinely scary monster movies I've seen in a dog's age. You really feel like you're a part of the destruction and it seems very realistic. Would I go so far as to predict future "classic" status for this film? Not sure. I do think the tendency by the general public these days is to move on to the next popular movie, and nothing retains a hold on viewers today like cinema giants used to, when life was simpler and perhaps offered not nearly as numerous entertainment options. But it's still what I'd consider a great monster movie. I'd also advise fans who want to see it NOT to wait for video; this needs to be seen on the big screen with thundering sound effects for best impact. ***1/2 out of ****