A refreshingly original monster movie

Rating: 8/10 (24 December 2008)

"Cloverfield" is a monster movie that uses a 'cinéma vérité' approach similar to that previously employed by "The Blair Witch Project". The similarities end with the approach, though, as this film has more in common with the classic monster movies of the fifties.
The cast, which is devoid of any big names, is a decent one. The actors manage to convey a sense of realism and rarely do their actions seem scripted, which is integral to the film's believability.
The story is entertaining and fits well within the framework of the film. The characters and situations are believable for the most part, though I think that the ending seemed unnecessarily forced. One of the things that I really liked about the monster is that for a long time we only see glimpses of it or we see the damage that it has caused. This keeps us on the edge of our seats until the big payoff.
The direction by Matt Reeves manages to capture the spirit of the film well; it is believable as an amateur video salvaged from a disaster site. The special effects are well done also, though a lot of the action is wisely left off-camera in order to leave it to the imagination of the viewers.
I recommend this movie though I wish that the ending had been handled a little better. However, that is only a minor issue when weighed against the film's other, well-executed elements.