See the magic of Cloverfield!

Rating: 8/10 (27 December 2009)

A monster movie set in New York? Why not? Maybe not in 2002! But I do not think acclaimed Producer/Director J.J. Abrams was "lost" in left field and was timely appropriate in reintroducing the monster movie theme in present time via the narrative form in his "Cloverfield". Director Matt Reeves helms this surprisingly fine film about a grandiose monster attacking Manhattan. Hey, I have felt like a monster myself with a few too many Manhattan cocktails. What gives "Cloverfield" a visionary edge is that all of the chaos is seen subjectively through the video camera of one of the film's characters named Hud. The film's narrative structure starts in a New York apartment where the lead character of the film Rob has been thrown a "going away" surprise party by his friends; including Hud who is videotaping the guests testimonials about Rob using the soon-to-be infamous camera. But the real surprise comes right after in the clash of the Clover Monster; buildings explode, debris is everywhere, and even the head of the Statue of Liberty lands in the streets of Manhattan courtesy of monster Clover's unstatuette left hook. The rest of "Cloverfield" focuses on the film's hipster characters trying to survive the Clover Monster's destruction. So to end my review of "CloverÂ…" Oh No! What's that coming at me! It is a humungous monster looking like a 300-foot Roger Ebert telling me to give it up as a film critic! AAHHH!!!! Where is my camera? I want a shot of this! His massive Thumbs Down is about to trample me! Help!!!! OK enough! I did enjoy the ensemble acting of "Cloverfield" from newcomers Lizzy Kaplan, Jessica Lucas, Michael Stahl-David, and T.J. Miller. Stahl-David played Rob; and Miller played Lite, I mean Hud. "Cloverfield" had extra special visual effects which were monstrous in recreating a New York tackled by a monster. I do not deny that "Cloverfield" did a have a few silly rudiments to it, but it did not intercede within the sheer entertainment value of the film; or maybe it was that good luck clover that did it. Nevertheless, "Cloverfield" does warrant for you to play its viewing field. **** Good