This beastie could teach Godzilla a thing or two.

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2008)

The trailer was amazing, the buzz was huge, the end result is admirable. Cloverfield isn't without its flaws however and there are some massive plot holes but such cant dull down the sheer voracity of the film. Blaring with sound and visuals make Cloverfield an utterly surreal experience. It's more like a roller-coaster than movie. Taking you on a momentous journey that differs from the underground to towering skyscrapers. The truth is that Cloverfield is always enjoyable. There is not one moment throughout that you won't be balancing on the edge of your seat.
The realism displayed throughout the film mainly comes from the was its been shot. The shaky camera technique last seen in The Blair Witch Project allows full exploration of New York after An alien attack with no exceptions. This is free form film making at its very best. A few questions do come up during the movie. For example the perplexing condition known as the virus that pops up for a brief moment but is never fully explained and I'm sure it will make for an interesting premise for the inescapable sequel. Still when the thing that should be festering in your mind is the high octane and brilliantly relentless action, you'll find that the unexplained infection keeps on coming back to you. It's also a shame that the trailer for Cloverfield is substantially scarier than the final result. Those who were expecting an adrenalin filled experience will be pleased those expecting a sophisticated horror won't.
There's also the small matter of a rather unsatisfying third act. Sure the film does need to calm down eventually but the ending is worryingly abrupt. I hear critics complain about the wafer thin plot, sure I'm not denying that but clearly those very critics have never seen a B-movie before. The wafer thin plot simply allows for more action sequences, a good thing if you ask me. And you're reading my review so ill assume you are.
Producer J.J. Abrams teams with writer Drew Goddard and director Matt Reeves for this frenetic tale of a powerful destructive force that descends upon New York City, and the four desperate survivors who put their lives on the line to embark on a perilous rescue mission.
As for our beastie, no signs of CGI suffocation that the far inferior I am Legend suffered from, and what makes it even better is our monster is truly frightening. The very symbolism of 21st Century apocalyptic nature. Don't be fooled by the overlong and often boring opening in. It will start soon enough. And with a rather short 87 minutes you'll wonder how it packed so much action into such a short space of time.
A surreal, tense but most of all relentless cinematic experience. Following in the footsteps of The Blair Witch Project allowing far more freedom to explore the sheer devastation of New York after an alien invasion. Some questions are left unanswered but noting too major witch means you can get on and enjoy the film