One Word: Entertaining.

Rating: 9/10 (18 January 2008)

I will cut straight to the point about this film - it was extremely entertaining.
From the opening scene until the closing of the movie, I was on the edge of my seat. The way the writing and directing weaved in characterization through the original tape was brilliantly done and very interesting to watch. Sure, the hand-held camera technique has been done before in movies such as the Blair Witch, but because of this technique I often found myself engulfed in what was happening on screen and forgetting that I was actually safe in a movie theater. I am a frequent moviegoer and for me to be on the edge of my seat for an entire movie is quite rare, but Cloverfield truly had my heart pounding the entire time.
Sure there are classical scare tactics used and there are obviously only a few ways the movie can end, but the journey through the unknown is what makes this movie enjoyable. You don't go to these types of movies expecting an award winning film, but the acting was top- notch, the effects were great and the terror cast upon theater goers was truly amazing.
The previews actually did not excite me much and I, like many others, went into the theater thinking Cloverfield was over-hyped. However, this is not a movie you should wait to rent; the huge screen and the deafening speakers of the theater will surely leave you feeling vulnerable. A must see in theaters! 9/10