We've never seen a movie like this before

Rating: 8/10 (7 April 2008)

Does this movie have any meaning? Although some may disagree, I think we could really say a few words about it... While Godzilla had an ecological message and criticized the experiences with nuclear power, I believe this one is a metaphor of the unpredictable world where we live, when from a moment to another the thousands of people may die in an airplane crash, in a tower hit by an airplane, etc, etc... These are new times, when with certain technology in the hands of the crazy people that will always exist in the world, thousands of people may face a horrible death in seconds.
Unless you were previously informed that the movie is about a monster, the first scene in the top of the roof makes you remember 9/11, which is by the way also quoted in the movie. This is quite intentional, since we see an explosion in the building and the same building collapsing in the next scene screened in the street. The monster is only introduced after some minutes, and surprisingly I could well accept as something that could really happen, since everything looked so realistic in the movie. On the other hand, this monster is quite different from others, like Godzilla, Hulk or King Kong. This one is more powerful and does not have a soul. Its purpose is basically to unstoppably kill, destroy and eat things and people like if there was no tomorrow. Where does it come from? Why is he doing this? Well, I really appreciate that the director has cut those stupid explanations such as that it was a dormant monster in the depths of the ocean, or that it has visited earth inside a big spaceship coming from other planet, or crap like that. As the trooper says near the end of the movie, "we don't know what it is, but it is winning". We could not listen to such a vague and at the same time so disturbing statement if one of those stupid explanations were given. We just need to know that this monster is there and it is damned as hell. Sometimes explaining these types of films turn them more simple and less scary... If this was a thriller maybe the rules were others, but this is a disaster and scary movie, and here sometimes it is better not to give details.
I would say that the movie is essentially an experience. Until now, I only remember the amateurish "blair witch project", certain scenes of John Cameron's "strange days" and an interesting episode of X-Files exploring the concept of the movie being entirelly filmed in a hand-held. I agree that we should not abuse of this method... But I won't also claim that this is not art; I really believe it is, but the way of filming should be adapted to the theme and only in these tense and scary movies there are reasons to film this way, without slow motions, background music, cheap exhibitions of special effects...
I have seen lots of people criticizing the characters but I think they are perfect here. I am also glad that the director has not chosen famous actors; it would not be so scary if we saw leonardo di caprio trying to rescue the girl... This really adds more reality to the movie. I think that the dialogues of the characters are also purposefully casual and sometimes stupid, since usually people will not say grandiose statements in a situation like this; they will most likely talk in monossylabes... In sum, we get the feeling that we are really there living the moment. And, without less importance, we have incredible fun watching this movie!