More than what was expected.....

Rating: 9/10 (18 January 2008)

First and foremost I have to say I really enjoyed this movie. I spent a great deal of effort avoiding any speculative discussion about the nature of the movie prior to my viewing (and I've been excited about it since the first preview in Transformers!) in order to avoid any feelings one way or another. I went in completely neutral, but left in awe.
I have been reading some of the reviews and thought I would add my two cents. I personally think this a "love it or hate it" movie for the most part. This is, unfortunately, due largely to the way it was filmed which is actually what was most enjoyable for me. Don't get me wrong now, all the running did make me dizzy, maybe even a little nauseous, but it was nothing someone who's watched a few home movies can't handle. The handy-cam point of view adds so much excitement and suspense to the movie though. It really feels like you're there, right in the action with everyone else. You become lost and confused, nervous and anxious, and you truly feel how small and desperate everyone is. There are moments in the film that just literally sucked me right into the streets of New York, military all around fighting the good fight, running for my life with my heart beating out of my chest!
Now I do have to admit this is not your typical movie. There is no real "development" so-to-speak. After all, you follow the same group of people with the same camera the whole film. You can only learn as much as they can, which isn't much. But, that really isn't what the movie is about. If you go in expecting there to be some Hollywood ending to the movie you are not going to be happy. Some people say there is no ending, but I assure you there is. You have to accept what is offered. So if you can stomach the camera (really not that bad) and take the movie for what it is (a guy with a handy-cam in the midst of a disaster) I'm confident you will thoroughly enjoy every minute.