2008 Woodie Awards
Different view of monster
Chris Martinez
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Entertainment
When word came about that another Godzilla movie was going to hit the silver screen many doubted it, including this critic. But J.J. Abrams, Lost, saved this dying icon with a bolt of lightning rebirthing it into the new movie "Cloverfield".
The story begins as we find out that the video tape we are about to watch was found at Central Park under the government classification, Cloverfield. Suddenly we are thrown into a homemade documentary surrounding a going away party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David). During the party a humongous tremor occurs and the next thing you know, a massive building blows up, hurling chunks of debris around the city.
Uncertainty and confusion engulf the partygoers. As they try to leave the city their attempts are thwarted by a massive beast, the cause of all the problems.
Struggling to stay alive, the remaining characters look for a way out of the labyrinth that is Manhattan with the beast, Minotaur, constantly on their heels.
Set in present day New York City, "Cloverfield" is told from the prospective of a handheld camera. The idea is genius because it builds off our instinctual fears of the unknown and the reactions that stem from them.
Also, throughout the film there seemed to be a sense of genuine emotion lingering from scene to scene. Terror, laughter, annoyance, worry, sadness and love all became byproducts of a situation that could have been looked at as depressing.
"Cloverfield" is not a typical horror movie. It plays at you through your own suspense and emotion. You're constantly sitting at the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next.
Be aware that the film is told from the prospective of a handheld camera and can at times be nauseating to watch. The nausea wears off after the first fifteen minutes and you forget that it's being filmed in such a way.
The film could have ended five minutes earlier than it did but gave closure to those who wanted a happier ending.
Go and watch "Cloverfield" on a date, you'll find yourself huddling closer and closer to each other throughout the movie and by the end of it may be holding hands. I'm not guaranteeing it, but it's definitely worth a shot.
And for only an hour and twenty minutes you'll have extra time to find out more about each other.
The story begins as we find out that the video tape we are about to watch was found at Central Park under the government classification, Cloverfield. Suddenly we are thrown into a homemade documentary surrounding a going away party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David). During the party a humongous tremor occurs and the next thing you know, a massive building blows up, hurling chunks of debris around the city.
Uncertainty and confusion engulf the partygoers. As they try to leave the city their attempts are thwarted by a massive beast, the cause of all the problems.
Struggling to stay alive, the remaining characters look for a way out of the labyrinth that is Manhattan with the beast, Minotaur, constantly on their heels.
Set in present day New York City, "Cloverfield" is told from the prospective of a handheld camera. The idea is genius because it builds off our instinctual fears of the unknown and the reactions that stem from them.
Also, throughout the film there seemed to be a sense of genuine emotion lingering from scene to scene. Terror, laughter, annoyance, worry, sadness and love all became byproducts of a situation that could have been looked at as depressing.
"Cloverfield" is not a typical horror movie. It plays at you through your own suspense and emotion. You're constantly sitting at the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next.
Be aware that the film is told from the prospective of a handheld camera and can at times be nauseating to watch. The nausea wears off after the first fifteen minutes and you forget that it's being filmed in such a way.
The film could have ended five minutes earlier than it did but gave closure to those who wanted a happier ending.
Go and watch "Cloverfield" on a date, you'll find yourself huddling closer and closer to each other throughout the movie and by the end of it may be holding hands. I'm not guaranteeing it, but it's definitely worth a shot.
And for only an hour and twenty minutes you'll have extra time to find out more about each other.
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