Difference in Opinion

Perhaps the most virally marketed film (or any entertainment title) in the past year, Cloverfield had everyone guessing what the movie was about and what monster was terrorizing New York City up until sitting down and watching it for themselves. Scorned by some and praised by most, anyone is sure to enjoy the movie for it’s originality.

From the get-go, all anyone knew about the movie was that it had a monster in it, a very BIG monster. Some speculated that it could be a J.J. Abrams version of Godzilla, redeeming the monster from it’s cheesy breach in 1998. Others heard that the movie would be a direct tie to Abrams popular LOST series, and that the monster was not a monster at all, but the mysteriously destructive “black smoke” that plagued the castaways on various occasions. Without revealing anything, I can shoot down both of those theories for you.

The story is all from the perspective of one camera. The movie starts out with a screen stating that the following video is classified information, and then plays the video (which is the entirety of the film). You follow the path of a bunch of people in their 20s as their average lives get turned upside down. The movie starts out with a positive vibe since the video is being shot at a party and the man behind the camera keeps getting into funny interactions with the other party-goers. From the perspective the film is in, it allows for the viewer to easily relate to the people and feel like they are in the situation with them from the simplicity of the party to the intensity of the most dramatic moments.

From intense chases to death-defying building climbing, Cloverfield is sure to provide anyone with an thrill and an on-the-edge-of-your-seat experience. For those yet to see it, you need to make sure you watch it on the big screen for the full effect. The PG-13 rating comes from some violent and graphics scenes and some swear words here and there. Whatever the age, this movie is definitely worth seeing. Oh, and although I will not confirm it, the monster may be the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Final Score: 9 out of 10