Very well done.

Rating: 9/10 (23 February 2008)

A great by-product of Cloverfield is that it reveals just how intellectually lazy people have become in our culture. Just read these negative reviews on this site alone and the reasons they give. Now I don't mind if people don't like the movie, but the reasons they give are truly ridiculous and embarrassing. For example, people are whining that "No one was there to tell me where the monster came from!!! And I didn't like that!!!" It just goes to show you just how dumbed down movies have to be to please the general public. Take note filmmakers, remember to spoon feed everything to your audience. God forbid they have to use their imagination or be forced to think in any way.
Another complaint is that it was shot with a hand held camcorder and it was "too shaky" for them. Oh, you poor, poor dear. Next time stick to Disney films, you knew exactly what you were getting into with this one. It was done strictly to be consistent with the overall theme that it was government confiscated footage from a civilian AND it also enhances the overall effect of CGI graphics. It's a great combination and the effect was very compelling.
People also seem to have issues with the camcorder's battery apparently lasting a bit too long for their ultra "logical brains." Somehow a battery lasting around 70 minutes is a little too hard for them to believe. "How can the filmmakers have made such a huge mistake! Why didn't they show Hud replacing the battery sometime in the movie so that we can feel better?" You guys crack me up.
People are also complaining that they couldn't "empathize" with the characters. I empathized with them very easily. Why? Because I don't need to be spoon fed and told when I'm supposed to relate to characters. I thought the acting was superb and quite believable. I wonder why so many people need someone to hold their hand and walk them through minute by minute of a movie?
The Love Story. People are having a hard time suspending belief that the two main characters were in love after only sleeping together once, yet have no problem believing characters in other movies could fall in love without sleeping with each other at all. I think I'm going to call this "IMDb Logic." They also are having a hard time believing that the main characters friends wanted to come with him to help him find his girl trapped in her apartment. Is it really so hard to believe that friends tend to help each other? Jesus, I wonder what kind of friends some of you have that leads to your world view of friendship.
Oh, let's not forget the complaint that there wasn't any music in the film to help guide your emotions. Because everyone knows that when you make home videos on a camcorder they all automatically come with an accompanying soundtrack. (Uh, remember that this is supposed to be government confiscated amateur footage.) Oh, the girl they rescued in the leaning high rise tower with the rod through her shoulder. I had no problem with that, I was willing to suspend belief for the sake of the love story. And I'm sure people have survived worse injuries than that.
Anyway, I just find all this whining over the movie hilarious. People are complaining that they were "cheated" out of their hard earned (I'm sure) $9.00. And I find it fascinating. I really enjoyed the film. I was on edge for the whole movie. I thought it was very well done and perfectly executed, including the monster. I never cared that it wasn't explained where it came from. Who cares? I thought it was cool not having that information. It actually (are you ready for this IMDb critics?) *cough* sparks your imagination! Oh my god! What a concept! So to summarize, if you're the type of intellectual lightweight who has to be spoon fed everything and has to have someone hold your hand as you walk through life, you're going to hate this movie. If you've got an open mind and appreciate different approaches to film and do not require a movie to tell you what you're supposed to be thinking, then you'll probably like the film.