Very intense, very disturbing.

Rating: 8/10 (8 July 2008)

After months of anticipation, speculation, and internet hype... 'Cloverfield' has landed. The big question is: does it live up to the hype? The answer may surprise you, as it definitely surprised me. But the answer is yes, yes it does. It chills like few films of its kind, and puts nearly every other monster flick to absolute shame. A morbidly and disturbingly realistic portrait of a city - and its people - under attack, it stirs up many powerful and gut-wrenching emotions that haven't been felt since that one fateful day in September. It's truly haunting. Truly unforgettable. And I don't know if I could ever watch it again.
The hand-held camera approach only allows one point of view, from the eyes of the victims themselves. There's no backstory, no explanation, and we only get a good look at the monster at the very end. We're along for the thrilling and haunting adventure, knowing nothing more or less than the characters whose shoes we inhabit. It's a difficult movie, because it feels so damn real. If you go to the movies for entertainment and escapism, you may want to look elsewhere. 'Cloverfield' is raw, unadulterated terror that will chill you to the bone. The explosive suspense is at times nail-biting as you wait for the next strike to level more of the Big Apple, or more importantly, your spirits. It's when 'Cloverfield' is most effective, simply because we have no comprehension of what this creature is. By the film's end, we have a much clearer idea of this terrifying monster. It's understandable to put a face to the destruction, but the film is at its best when the mystery and anticipation is still high.
You won't find any manufactured thrills here, and the film understands there is no easy way out. Everything is as realistic as you could hope for, and at times, it's a little too much. The initial strike launches us into the same confusion, desperation, and disorientation that 9/11 did to us, and it's a film like this that proves how fresh those terrible memories still are. That's why I find it difficult to say that I enjoyed this movie, because it brought me back to a place and time that I'd rather forget. But 'Cloverfield' all too effectively creates the same dark atmosphere, and it's difficult to resist the chills during the experience. The head of the Statue of Liberty landing on the streets, the daunting escape through the Subway tunnels, the complete and utter destruction. It's important not to give much away, but you must experience 'Cloverfield' for yourself.
Casting unknowns in the lead roles was a pitch-perfect move, as the film highlights the unpredictability of the world we live in. At any given moment, everything we've come to know can be turned upside down completely, and it can affect you or me or everyone we know. 'Cloverfield' runs off of raw human emotion, and there's no way to escape the horror. It hits hard, and it packs a lasting and ferocious punch. If you want to cut straight to the point, 'Cloverfield' is an effective movie. No question about it. It's a gripping, emotional, and disturbing ride that quickly becomes so much more than your typical monster flick. It's what 'Godzilla' failed so miserably at nearly ten years ago on the big screen, but who could have predicted the devastating true-life events that would unfold only a few short years later. And if you thought for a moment September 11th wouldn't affect your viewing of 'Cloverfield', think again. This is all too real, and you won't soon forget it.
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