Monstrous success

Rating: 8/10 (4 November 2009)

I cannot recall seeing a film quite like this before. After the initial 15 mins or so of characterisation, this movie is utterly gripping . I am not surprised that Cloverfield has polarised its audience. It really is a marmite movie; not one to sit on the fence about.
Criticism of poor characterisation, weak plot etc. are senseless for this kind of film. Seriously, it's a monster movie - who cares about the depth of character development and credibility of the plot line?!? Take this film at face value (i.e. 50-storey leviathan rampages through the streets of Manhattan) and suspension of disbelief should be a given. Why bemoan the shaky handy-cam filming, when it creates a very immediate sense of fear - not for the characters so much as for you, the viewer! Without this hand-held filming style, this would not be half the movie it is.
This is an absolutely terrific monster movie, which takes the genre to new levels at times. I wholeheartedly recommend you leave any preconceived expectations of realistic plot structure, believable characters, flawless camera-work at the door before you immerse yourself in this jaw-dropping cinematic adrenalin ride.
Groundbreaking, and oh so good! 8/10