Well worth the wait.

Rating: 9/10 (18 January 2008)

"Cloverfield" is without a doubt one of the best movies I have ever seen. I saw it tonight with a friend of mine not expecting anything too grand, but it really impressed me. This movie has an amazing sense of realism that leads its viewer to believe that the events within have actually occurred, and makes the seemingly far-fetched plot seem tangible. The aesthetics are simply amazing. I'm really into disaster films, and out of all the ones released in recent years, Cloverfield takes the cake. The special effects are unreal, and it makes you feel as if you are really wandering around a New York in crisis. My friend and I commented on the fact it gives a true insight to the terror of 9-11 and will definitely hit home for the people who lived through that disaster.
I have read many comments about the style in which the movie was filmed. I believe that the use of a camcorder really gave the movie an authentic touch, making the attack believable. For some, there are moments when the camera is shaky, but it's all apart of the effect. The use of small time actors was definitely a great choice for this movie. This allowed viewers to sympathize with the characters and form a connection to them which is not possible with the big buck actors. Lizzy Caplan's performance in particular was impressive.
I don't know how they got away with a PG-13 rating in the USA, here in Australia, only people over 15 are allowed in unless accompanied by an adult. The movie is truly terrifying and will keep you anxiously gripping the edge of your seat for an hour. Kudos to the director for portraying a plot line that was realistic, believable, entertaining, humorous, terrifying and aesthetically stunning all at the same time. You're missing out if you don't see it.
Cloverfield cannot be compared to films like The Blair Witch Project and Godzilla simply because there is no comparison - it sits on them all. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys being scared silly.