Incredible, riveting and breathtaking

Rating: 10/10 (3 February 2008)

Having waited months, watching trailers, reading previews and discussing the film with friends, I finally watched Cloverfield at the cinema last night. I can honestly say that I hadn't been as excited about a film since Independence Day, and was hoping and praying that JJ Abrams and Matt Reeves hadn't delivered a red herring.
Well I can assure you, after sitting open-mouthed for 1hr 25 mins, Cloverfield is already up there as a potential film of the year. Everything that makes a great action/sci-fi film is in there, from the everyday people having to do whatever it takes to survive, to the enormous monster terrorising the city, destroying everything and everyone in its path. Lets start with the characters : Rob and Hud are easily the best characters in this film. In particular, Michael Stahl-David's portrayal of a man desperately trying to save his loved one in the midst of destruction was fantastic. Hud, the cameraman for the film, is almost a spitting image of a friend of mine - from mannerisms to jokes - and his nervous, rattled voice trying to remain positive throughout the carnage we witness on the camcorder is brilliant. Most importantly - the monster. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Cloverfield monster is terrifying - looming high above everyone in the city as it destroys buildings and screams deafeningly across the night. In particular, the view from the helicopter where Hud is screaming "can you guys see this?", we see the gigantic beast skulking, almost as if it is hunting, through the city, baring its teeth and lashing its tail. Oddly, not once does the creature seem unrealistic and I actually felt like it could be something from under the sea that man had yet to encounter, instead of just some alien creature with powers beyond ours. The creature seemed confused by what was around it, like it had been awoken from sleep, only to find the world it knew before very different. The main point of this film is the way it is shot - through a Panasonic camcorder. Contrary to beliefs, this makes the film even more terrifying - it makes you feel like you are actually there experiencing all the terror with Rob, Beth, Lily, Hud and Marlena. My eyes took a bit of getting used to the movement at first, but after the first few minutes I was just riveted by the on screen mayhem. To summarise : Cloverfield dared to be different, it dared to reveal nothing beforehand, and dared to try things that had failed with films in the past. The giant creature, the camcorder viewing aspect and the relatively unknown actors and actresses. But surprisingly, and thankfully, all gambles paid off - leaving us with one of the years, if not decades, most terrifying and satisfying movie experiences.