“Cloverfield” (Paramount Pictures)
Shaky Monster Movie
“Cloverfield” is a gimmicky monster movie that wouldn’t have drawn any attention were it not for the fact that JJ Abrams (“Lost”) is the producer. His name plus a smart trailer that told you nothing are the reasons this movie is making a ton of money. It certainly isn’t the film itself which is a no stars, no frills, monster movie captured through the stomach churning motion of a hand held camera. The point of the movie is to make everything seem amateurish and real. It certainly succeeds in the amateurish realm.
The film starts at a surprise going away party for Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David). It is being held in an apartment in New York City. His brother Jason (Mike Vogel) and Jason’s girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas) are the hosts. Rob’s friend Hud (T J Miller) is capturing everything on a hand held camera.
One of the attendees at the party is Beth (Odette Yustman) who was once involved with Rob. He broke it off however when he learned he was being sent by his employer to Japan. Now he regrets this breakup.
During the party an explosion rocks the city. Shortly thereafter there are what appears to be fireworks but several nearby buildings are bursting into flames. The partygoers go down to the street where they are almost smashed by the head of the Statue of Liberty falling to the ground. It is obvious that something bad is happening and it turns out that one or more dinosaur looking monsters are on a rampage through the city.
People begin to flee but Rob and a small crew decide to go look for Beth. The rest of the film concerns that rescue. And through it all Hud and his hand held camera record the events. This doesn’t really make sense as even when the gang is running for its collective lives Hud and the camera are still recording.
The actions of this gang of misfits is so bumbling and silly that all you need is the dog to have this become a Scooby Doo monster cartoon. The dialogue sounds improvised and the tone of the film is more comic and silly than serious and scary.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
The audience never forms a bond with any of the characters. Ideally the love story between Rob and Beth would be strong and the audience could cheer for them to be reunited. Doesn’t happen. Get Beth, don’t get Beth – who cares!
The gimmicky hand held camera thing is nausea inducing. Plus didn’t “The Blair Witch Project” get there first and do it better This is copycat moviemaking and JJ Abrams knows better.
Take away the Abrams name and you have a silly monster movie that breaks no new ground. It is interesting for the first fifteen or so minutes but goes downhill fast after that.
I scored “Cloverfield” a lost 5 out of 10.
