Close, but as they say, no cigar.

Rating: 6/10 (23 April 2008)

By the end of the first season of "Lost," I was hooked on the show. By the end of the second season, I'd all but given up on it. Now, I'm a casual watcher, but if I miss an episode, it really doesn't bother me (even though I know that's heresy to some.) I feel kind of the same way about Cloverfield. I wanted to like it. I wanted to like it a LOT. I bought the DVD, taking a risk. I watched it back-to-back three times. Sorry. No cigar. I almost like it, but that's because there are elements I do like about it. Those elements almost swing me over to it's side. But not quite. So what do I like? I actually liked some of the characters, particularly the female friend (I forget the character's name) who survives. She played her role with honesty and believability. I even liked Hud. He was annoying rather than funny, but that was his character. I like the fact that the creature was revealed to us in fits and starts, so that we were still left, to the very end, with a sense of dread and wonder, because we still knew so little about it. Finally, I liked the fact that the green-screen effects were done so seamlessly, that a great deal of reality was created, and that reality almost saved the movie. There were other factors that were so-so. The opening party scene was longish, though not painfully so. There were several other 'bridge' scenes that ran long. Also, I was really only surprised by an appearance of the creature only one time. But the main thing that sticks in my craw, is that J.J. did the same kind of "explain one thing, create two mysteries to replace it" manipulation that finally burned me out on "Lost." It was obvious from the get-go that he had "sequel fever." It was obvious that this movie was almost a throw-away to set up a franchise of sequels. Maybe not, but it sure seemed that way. Argh. The movie was technically well made, the acting was mostly adequate, the creature was indeed uniquely ugly and threatening. Still, it didn't win me over. Oh well, I think a friend will take the DVD off my hands for enough to make the cost equal to a matinée ticket. I can live with that.