A big screen experience not to be missed.

Rating: 9/10 (22 January 2008)

I saw Cloverfield on the night of 1-18-08, as no other timing would have seemed appropriate. The trailers got me excited for what was to come (both the movies they were for, and the movie that was listed on my ticket), the feature surpassed my high expectations, and I left the theater a content guy.
Unfortunately, I felt like I was in the minority. Four days later, it seems everything I hear is about how the camera shook too much, it was too short, nothing was explained, etc. Some of that, I'll voice my opinion on later. In my opinion, Cloverfield succeeded in delivering a slightly-compelling story, gripping visuals, and intense sequences that kept the viewer's eyes glued the screen (despite the alleged motion-sickness-inducing Queasy-Cam work).
For those who only know of the movie being about a monster attacking Manhattan, here's a more detailed run-down: A young man has a heated encounter with an ex at his surprise going-away party. She leaves. People have fun. Party disrupted by monster attacking city. Screaming and running ensue. The young man and his closest friends flee for their lives, while trying to meet up with the ex-girlfriend who left earlier in the night. All of which is witnessed through the lens of the hand-held video camera that was recording good-byes.
The filming style, I think, was very effective in immersing the viewer in the experience. The acting got the job done. The CGI was convincing enough. The monster's appearance, to my surprise, didn't disappoint.
Addressing the complaints from other opinionated folk, that I mentioned above: Camera too shaky? You try framing a shot while being scared enough to pee your grown-up pants. How did he hold onto the camera the whole time? (I've heard such a comment) It had a strap. Long battery life? He turned it on and off throughout the course of the 75-85 minutes. Nothing explained (such as why the monster is there)? We only know what the main characters know. "Scientists" and the military people were too busy doing their jobs to explain to some random twenty-somethings what they thought was going on. Also, the ending was perfectly fine, if you figured out what happened.
Last year, my favorite movie was I Am Legend (just barely besting Bourne Ultimatum and Superbad); midway through January, I think I enjoyed Cloverfield more than I did the Will Smith film. This year is off to a good start, you think? (Or maybe I just have bad tastes...)