Cloverfield was the bomb
Last night, I had the opportunity to see CLOVERFIELD, the new film from J.J. Abrams’ production company “Bad Robot.”
Directed by Matt Reeves, CLOVERFIELD documents a monster attack on New York City as told from the point of view of a small group of 20somethings whose commentary provide for exhilarating tension and frequent “OMG I would totally say that” real-life credibilty. This film is all about perspective. Putting life into it and looking at life through the eyes of others. From mine, it is an inspired masterpiece.
A monster movie for the YouTube generation (putting it mildly) this film explores multiple platforms for telling a story – from a now infamous shaky handicam to a voice on a mobile phone to layered news reports on a television screen in a technology store.
There will likely be speculation about the “monster,” however this film also offers a very simple societal study on various human emotions in the face of doom. Rather than giving you the perspective of the writer, it gives you the frantic thoughts of those in the heart of the storm.
Make no mistake.
This flick has the fun campiness of “Gigantor SquidMan Thing takes Manhattan and people run,” but it doesn’t wimp out when it counts and delivers something so unexplainable that I am confident that the “Godzilla meets Blair Witch” comparisons will be short lived.
It is like opening a time capsule in film history.
A guilty pleasure, to be sure, but much more rewarding than the standard mindless hollywood fare all wrapped in a shiny bow (sorry Mr. Bay).
This one is nice and gritty and deserves to be regaled as original, riveting and raw…
Bonus tips: If you are a Star Trek fan, you MUST get there in time for the trailers. If you are a music geek like me (and out of common courtesy darnit!), stick around for the credits for the AMAZING “ROAR!” Overture.
Calliope in Outer Space 