This was extraordinary - the comments even more so

Rating: 10/10 (25 January 2008)

I thought the reviews for I Am Legend were split - but the comments on Cloverfield are even farther apart - and reading the Hated It posts I cannot comprehend. This movie was fairly simple in concept - Monster attacks Manhattan. It was similar to Blair Witch Project - they both use a Hand Held Camera(s). But the similarities to Blair Witch and Godzilla end there. To begin with - most stories/plots have been done before in other movies. What makes most movies unique is the WAY the movie is done - not the storyline. The Hand Held camera may not be a new technique, but it is used to incredible effect in Cloverfield. You get to know the characters at a party in the beginning of the film and so you care what happens to them (or not). An atmosphere of tension and suspense is effectively created and makes this a Horror movie more than an Action movie - and an extremely good Horror movie. You catch glimpses of the creature until the entire creature is exposed - which usually defuses tension, but not in this case - if anything it ramps up the suspense. As some reviews have indicated - as many people laughed in the theater as gasped. There are visual surprises and shocks, all of which, are effective. I give Kudos to JJ - this is definitely a masterpiece. Heads-UP! - do not go drunk, the Hand Held Camera will make you throw up - as one guy did - profusely. Highly recommended - Enjoy!