Cloverfield

While I was always planning on seeing Cloverfield, I didn't really anticipate going on opening night. But when Ian called and said he wanted to go, the plans were made. I had purposely avoided any kind of spoilers or articles about this movie because I didn't want to ruin it for myself.

One of the only articles I read about it wasn't about the movies content, but more about the danger that is viral marketing for movies. The authors one main point was Snakes on a Plane. While SOAP had a huge Internet buzz before coming out, once released it underperformed in the box office. This lead many people to believe that no major studio would fund another movie that would rely so heavily on the Internet and buzz to market it.

Upon pulling up to the theater last night for the 10:30pm show, the last of the night, the entire parking lot was packed. I instantly realized that even though we were about half an hour early for the show, that it may have not been enough. Adie and Lauren went in and they said they still had 60 seats available, so we went on in. Of course they didn't really mention that of those 60 seats, 50 or so were singles spread out around the theater.

Needless to say that Cloverfield is fucking amazing. Shot entirely on digital video and made to look like it was shot on a hand held camcorder, the story unfolds as a goodbye tape being shot for a man who is leaving for Japan for a new job. While I already knew that this was a monster movie, the first 20 or so minutes is just footage introducing the characters and their world. I never felt in those opening scenes that they were unnecessary. I wasn't even that anxious to finally see the monster. But once that first explosion hits, it's all monster movie madness.

Every shot you get of the monster comes from different angles. It's hard to explain what exactly what it was because it's not like anything ever done before. But by shooting it always on the move and through the New York streets your imagination can take over and you start formulating what the hell it is on your own.

Be warned though dear reader, this movie gives Blair Witch a run for it's money in terms of shaky camera work. Adie got so motion sick only 20 minutes into the movie she had to leave the theater for a while, and still missed more while in the theater because she had to keep her eyes closed. While it was jarring at times, it didn't bother me.

This movie rocked. From the conception to the viral marketing it was a well thought out experiment in making a new kind of monster movie. It tells a compelling story with great characters. It preys on the mind to form it's own conclusions about what is going on. The movie gives you just enough information to leave you with even more questions.

Go see it if you enjoy monsters. Go see it if you enjoy suspense. Go see it if you saw the advertisements and wondered just what the fuck a Cloverfield is. Just go see it. But yo may want to bring a barf bag.