Innovative, creative, almost satisfying

Rating: 9/10 (16 January 2008)

If all you are expecting is some kind of Blair - Godzilla mash up, then you will enjoy this film immensely. The selling point of this movie is the P.O.V handycam and it works well; it connects you to the characters and in some instances you can feel what they feel. Using a dubbed-over tape to intertwine back story with current events, we entail a small group as they run, shake and scream all over Manhattan. And it is one hell of a ride, the effects work really well; I don't know what it is about all this motion sickness crap - perhaps eat less, sit further from the front and drink water.
So what wasn't so 'cool' about it? Firstly, a couple of clips from 'Trailer B' make it obvious what is going to happen in the story. Two, the creators daringly took up the opportunity for product placement. Considering there's pretty much no sign of any other posters or billboards it becomes obvious what it is when you see it and ultimately brings you back into the cinema for a minute. Lastly, the foley was slightly off. You know how in ninety per cent of films the thunderclap happens at the same time as the lightning? Yeah, well, it's the same for this. Military jets, explosions etc just all seem not quite right, especially if you've ever seen all those things in real life.
But no one's perfect, and on that note, I wouldn't bother squabbling over the ending, the 'monster', the characters and their decisions or anything like that because you're meant to be left in mystery. Nobody should leave going "Oh wow, I see what they're trying to get across" it's laminated in cool and it is entertaining. That's what blockbusters are for right?