Cloverfield (2008)

With the release of 10 Cloverfield Lane only days away, I felt it was fitting to take a look back at the film which shares (in part) the same name.  One can only speculate as to how much of a sequel this new film will be.  From the looks of the trailer, 10 Cloverfield Lane will have a new cast and story-line while continuing to exist in the same universe as the first.  I would be hard pressed to call this a sequel in a traditional sense of the word.  Regardless, Cloverfield is very capable of standing on its own two feet as a welcome addition to the monster/disaster movie genre.

Although I would not consider myself a fan of the 'found footage' style of filming, it can still be an effective means to engage the audience.  Maybe the novelty has worn off for most, but here the handheld camera effect created a more intense viewing experience; we feel very much a part of the disaster. This type of filming eliminates the traditional three act narrative and allows us to jump right into the action with little backstory. Instead of investing time on the character's development we are able to focus almost entirely on the terror being recorded, which is the real strength of the film anyway.

The film centers around Rob, who after a one night stand with close friend Beth, is now very much in love with her.  In the midst of Rob's own going away party, Manhattan is attacked by a vicious monster.  Rob, accompanied by his friends, set out to save Beth and get off the ravaged island. TJ Miller plays Rob's best friend and is the "cameraman" for the film. Miller does a serviceable job tracking his way through the city yet his acting leaves something to be desired.  Generally Miller is quite funny in films, although here his jokes fall flat.

The film shines through its sudden bursts of intense action.  Despite its low budget, Cloverfield is a visual triumph.  It puts the audience right at the ground level, forced to look up and witness the monsters destruction. To watch Manhattan, a city so well known, fall to chaos is both jarring and familiar.  One can feel a strange sense of déjà vu, drawing parallels to the attacks on 9/11-- only now we see what a full scale attack on our soil could look like. Replace the monster for a more realistic adversary and the films true terror message can really hit close to home.

Cloverfield's characters can be frustrating and at times downright unlikable. Their decision to go back and save Beth is almost nonsense in the face of imminent doom.  To make things worse, Rob is arrogant and selfish which makes it hard to root for his survival.

In a nut shell: While Cloverfield may not have the most likable cast of characters, it certainly has enough action and suspense to captivate the audience.  It doesn't get bogged down with an overly complicated plot and serves as a crushing reminder as to how devastating a terrorist attack can be.  It takes everyday Americans and shows that in a moment's notice their entire world can change. The trivial issues in everyday life can suddenly feel insignificant when faced with your own mortality. It's a sobering thought--one that we should reflect on more often.  (2.5 out of 4)