Cloverfield

I was lucky enough to attend an early screening of "Cloverfield" yesterday afternoon, and after stewing for a day, I feel it's time for a review.

MINOR SPOILERS HEREIN!!

You've probably heard about this film at some point over the last 6 months. From the moment that unnamed teaser hit movie theaters, this film has been cornering the market in advertising.

The film focuses on Robert Hawkins, who is leaving for Japan to start a new job. His friends throw him a surprise going away party, but drama ensues, and people are gossiping back and forth. You know, a typical college party - until a gigantic fucking monster decides to take a stroll through Manhattan.

The reason I say it like that is because it is catches you off guard. One minute your listening to people gossip about breakups, the next your dodging a Statue of Liberty head. This movie doesn't waste much time on the setup, and at only 84 minutes long, you don't really have time to spare.

A friend of mine said that the camera is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. So here we go...

The camera - extremely shakey. Trust me on this one. One in our group did, in fact, get sick following the screening. Just be prepared for a lot of movement. Perhaps you should eat after the movie this time. On the flip side, the camera movement added to the sense of urgency. This movie engages you and then turns you upside down. You are in the movie, running alongside these New Yorkers. I found myself pointing at the screen at one moment, almost blurting out "RUN! IT'S THERE BEHIND THE BUILDING!"

The characters - Rob is our likable fearless leader. He is emotional, and usually that's what people get like in a psychotic situation. Lily and Marlena tag along. Marlena was accidently thrown into the mix, while Lily is good friends with Rob. The real show stealer though is Hud, our funny camera man. Hud breaks the tension with silly remarks, but we can't help but laugh. His character is behind the camera most of the time, but make no mistake, when the shit hits the fan he is just as scared as the rest of them.

The Music - Stay through the end credits. Just stay. Listen.

The Monster - scary as hell. No more or i'll spoil it.

How scary is it? - Do you remember sitting through Spielberg's "War of the World's"? Yeah. Do you remember being literally on the edge of your seat because you were terrified of those tripod machines vaporizing everything in sight? Yeah.

This is ten times scarier.

All in all, "Cloverfield" is a movie well worth seeing. Now, is it ground breaking that will revolutionize the industry. Some have said it. I'm not ready to agree. But this movie will most certainly keep you moving back and forth in your seat until the very last second.

4.5 out of 5.

DM