Simply amazing

Rating: 10/10 (30 January 2008)

As a kid, I used to love watching monster movies. That's right! Watching a 15-minute introduction of characters, trying to guess who's gonna die next and how it's gonna happen and ultimately trying to out-guess friends on how the characters will manage to kill the "monster" were all part of the good old days.
So when I heard about "Cloverfield", I got so excited. Of course, I had my doubts at first. I mean, I saw the trailers and really got a liiiittle disappointed upon learning that the movie was to be viewed through a video camera (I hate Blairwitch). I also hated the thought of speculating whether the guy/girl holding the camera would have the guts or sanity to keep "filming" while running away for their lives (because that's just stupid). Still, upon succeeding in convincing myself not to watch Aliens vs. Predators 2 (it's ALIENS vs. PREDATORS - why the heck are there people in it?!?!?! *roar*), I went on to watch the much-hyped monster movie.
Personally, I think the movie succeeded in many ways. One is that it made me (or you) feel like it's NOT a movie. Yes. It sorta felt like the real thing. Why? Because of the camera. Another reason is that you actually feel like you're part of the group. It was an amazing experience. If only the guy holding the camera stopped talking, I would've really imagined myself to be the one looking in a first-person view.
Of course, not every movie is perfect. Clearly, there were times when the guy holding the camera would've NATURALLY stopped filming. And some of the scenes were obviously UNNATURAL for a camera-holder's point of view.
All in all, however, it was really an amazing work. Never before have I been pushed towards the edge of my seat when watching movies (let's see.. 10-year old me watching Godzilla?). Compared to the last three movies I've watched over the weekend (I am Legend, Sweeney. I resisted watching the "others"), this movie is the probably the one that will last me for weeks. I do hope they make a part 2. I also hope that they'd include more "stuff" upon it's DVD release.
Last note: don't mind what other people say or think about this movie. If you have the IMAGINATION, watch it. It will give you something to talk about for weeks.