Cloverfield-: Finally, a Monster for America

Japan's Godzilla has ruled for decades. Writer Drew Goddard has created the first really great monster for America in "Cloverfield," 2008 Saturn Award winner for Best Science Fiction Film. Produced by J.J. Abrams and directed by Matt Reeves, this movie is destined to be a classic.

Yes, we had King Kong, and he was great, but a giant gorilla is just a giant gorilla, not a bona fide monster. Heaven only knows what this thing is, but it's on a rampage through Manhattan and not so easily disposed of.

The film starts out with Rob (Michael Stahl-David) and Beth (Odette Yustman planning their outing to Coney Island, via Rob's hand held video camera.

Next we see Rob's brother, Jason (Mike Vogel) and his girlfriend, Lily (Jessica Lucas) planning Rob's going away party. Rob asks friend Hud (T.J Miller) to record the festivities, and he agrees after learning that the girl he's crushing on, Marlena, (Lizzy Caplan) will be there.

The party ensues, and with Hud "documenting", we go from your basic party antics to a sudden attack on the city which leaves the revelers in a state of confusion and then panic.

Suddenly we're seeing Manhattan through the eyes of a panicked Hud, who keeps taping even after Rob tells him to stop, saying "people are going to want to know what happened".

What happens is a great romp through Manhattan trying to escape "Clover", seen only in glimpses at first and in more detail as the film progresses. The military hits the street, the populace runs screaming and our little group, documented by Hud, races to rescue Beth, and to try to escape with their lives.

Shot with the same hand-held video effects as "Blair Witch Project" and "Quarantine". this movie can be a bit disorienting, but that only adds to the overall feel of reality. It's tricky at first, feeling like you're watching somebody's cheesy home video, but as the story unfolds, the shooting method becomes the most intriguing thing about it.

And the monster, "Clover", is scary-fun at it's best. Creature designer Neville Page, whose other credits include "Star Trek" and "Watchmen", has really managed to create a monster with the potential to de-throne Godzilla and King King.

As a fan of the genre, I admit to being disappointed by this type of movie more often than not, but "Cloverfield" really met the mark for me. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. My only regret is that the movie was released on DVD over a year ago and I've just now gotten around to watching it.

"Cloverfield" is not for the faint hearted, and certainly not for audiences under 13 years old. I put the kiddies in another room watching cartoons while viewing the DVD.

If you're looking for a good way to get the adrenaline pumping without taking a jog, rent "Cloverfield". It's a good time.