Fly the chopper the other way for crying out loud....

Rating: 8/10 (2 May 2013)

A group of friends throw a party for Rob, who is leaving New York to go and work in Japan.
As the party progresses, violent shakes and explosions herald the arrival of an unknown creature, which begins its rampage by throwing the head of the Statue of Liberty down into a street.
Told from the viewfinder of their video camera, we see how Rob and his friends venture deep into the streets of New York, determined to rescue Rob's true love from her destroyed apartment building in midtown....
No matter how many flaws the film has, one cannot deny the sheer power the film gives us throughout its slim running time. Basically an allegory to 9/11 (RIP those who perished), Cloverfield is a panic laden disaster come sci-fi movie with some really good performances.
Using the found footage genre to good effect, and before it got too out of hand, the film deals with loss, change, and chance with the utmost respect to the viewer.
the fact that the makers used a genius way of promoting the film beforehand didn't hurt the overall effect of the movie.
Using a fluid narrative and story, interlaced with old footage is really unique, and even though the ending is a little over the top, the other ending, where the couple are having fun by the beach is genius. Just look for the creature landing in the ocean during the last shot.
If you see it now for the first time, you may wonder what all the fuss was about, but if you were there, tracking every viral campaign the makers did, and that beautiful one sheet, you know the fuss was worth it.
A great disaster movie.