Cloverfield Movie Review

Okay, for months I have watched the teasers and previews for the film, Cloverfield. Now, I'm a total sci-fi/fantasy film fan. But I had my reservations about this movie since there seemed to be no major stars for one thing. Not one glimpse of the scourge that appeared to be terrifying the Big Apple. And the carefully protected yet intriguing publicity surrounding this picture spoke more loudly than did the quirky hand-held camera previews we beheld before yesterday's release of Cloverfield.

I LOVED this movie! If you are fine on a boat, back seat of a moving car, or riding in an airplane, you'll be just fine. If you get motion sickness from an elevator or can't walk over a bridge without becoming nauseous, wait until it's on DVD or Pay Per View, and then rent it. The camera techniques were a part of this movie's ride and they indeed add to its individuality and realism. You will immediately become a part of the group of players as you learn more about them. This lays the groundwork for the rest of the film, so please pay attention, do not dismiss them. You truly feel like you are there as you proceed through this ride. The actors were natural and believable.

In the beginning of the movie, you'll meet the main players who will take you through the horrific hours before them. While you are getting to know them, you will find yourself thinking of friends or family members that they remind you of. It's so seamless that you don't even realize you are doing it. If this is what the writers intended, they succeeded perfectly.

Throughout the movie, you will gradually find yourself on the edge of your seat, your heart will race and you'll be wondering, "how much more can they/I, take?" You'll find yourself telling the players, "No! Don't do that," or, "Oh, you should have gone that way"!

For me, movies should either entertain, inspire, make me feel empathy or fear, or even warm fuzzies. But I've never, until now, felt like I was actually there. I can't remember the last time I walked into the theatre thinking, "oh this is going to be a mistake and a waste of time," and come saying, "can we go back in and watch it again?" I was a skeptic walking through the theatre doors, but I came out totally gratified. I am an avid moviegoer. I enjoy many genres but when I go see a movie, it's to escape the everyday and step into another world. But I usually have to coax my apprehension into settling for what is presented to me. It sometimes makes me feel better about spending what amounts to two venti lattes! Believe me when I say, if I had to pay twice what I did for this ticket, knowing what I know now, I'd say it was money well spent. Bravo to the makers and players of Cloverfield. You've rekindled my respect for the new blood of movie making!