Cloverfield

I will start off by saying that I did not see Transformers last summer, and therefore was not one of many who saw the trailer for Cloverfield (well, 1-18-08, which was the only title you saw in the initial trailer signifiying when the movie would be out). I did catch the trailer online, and did end up saying to myself "WTF?" but I feel it would have been more effective to see the trailer in the theater (as it is definitely more effective to see this movie in the theater... more on that later). The trailer was like nothing I had ever seen, and I was stoked.

I did not read into the movie that much, didn't get caught up in the hype, and didn't even see the movie on opening night. I waited. And then the opening weekend numbers for the movie rolled in, and it made $42 million bucks (on a budget of $25 million). The hype had worked, and worked well. I didn't wait long to have a look myself.

Cloverfield starts off by letting the audience know they are about to see a firsthand account of the "Cloverfield" Case. The text goes away, and the movie begins. We (the viewer) are looking down at Central Park at dawn from a home movie of a guy named Rob (who is filming) and his girlfriend Beth. We are in Rob's dad's apartment in Manhattan (we know this because Rob, who is filming, tells us). The date on the bottom of the frame is April. Beth is in bed, and Rob comes into the bedroom to ask her what she wants to do today. They discuss that she has never been to Coney Island before, so that is the plan. Then, just as if your favorite television show has been recorded over on an old VHS tape, the scene cuts to Rob's brother and his girlfriend buying party supplies for Rob's going away party (Rob is going to Japan). The date has changed to May 22. We are then introduced to many of Rob's friends through the eyes of Rob's best friend Hud. He has been given the camera to get testimonials from people at the party (kind of like what you do on a wedding video). Some of the characters are developed, some drama is set up between Rob and Beth, and not much else. It seems as if you are watching an epoisode of Party of Five or something. Then, without warning, the shit hits the fan. While outside, Hud (who captures everything he can on the camera) and Rob's brother are trying to console Rob and an earthquake occurs. Loud otherworldly noises are heard from the city below them. Chaos ensues, and someone turns on the TV. No one knows what is going on. Was it an earthquake? Rob's brother asks Hud if he wants to get a better view from the roof, so majority of the party go up. While on the roof, with NYC in the background, there is an expllosion, and much confusion. Hud and the rest of the party make it out to the streets, and they witness the Statue of Liberty's head hit a building, and come rolling to a halt at their feet. Freaky stuff. What in the hell is going on? When the coast is clear (or at least clear enough), Hud, Rob, Rob's brother, Rob's brothers girlfriend, and Hud's love interest Marlena try to get out of the city, fast. Now, I will not go into too much detail as to not spoil the movie, but for the remainder of the movie, you will be on the edge of your seat trying to figure out just what the fuck is going on (the same way the characters are trying to do the same thing). I will say this, you will not be let down.

Because the movie is a home video account of the incident, the camera shakes a lot and zooms in, etc. Think The Blair Witch Project. The shakiness did not bother me, but it has bothered many people. It is kind of like being on a rollercoaster ride for a good hour and a half.

Even though 2008 is only about a month old, this movie was the best movie I have seen so far and will remain that way probably until I see the new Batman movie. Go see Cloverfield... NOW!