Movie Madness, Vol 5
Cloverfield
3 3/4 Bones
Warning: Movie may cause motion sickness. If you are pregnant, elderly, below the height of 42 inches, nursing, may become pregnant, sterile, object to being eaten by large unidentified monsters, allergic to peanuts, have ever run with scissors, or blind, you may not want to see this movie. You must be this tall to ride Michael.
Ok, disclaimer aside, this movie is pretty good. It would have earned 4 1/2 bones if the ending didn't blow! Actually, if the film didn't give away the ending before the movie even started, it may have had a better chance.
This flick is an action packed thrill ride that definitely lives up to the hype that was surrounding it. I have to admit, my heart was racing through most of the movie and I was really rooting for the characters to survive. Though one character, the camera man for most of the film, needed to die early on (he was more than a little annoying), I was really cheering for the rest of the characters.
The interesting aspect of the movie is that it is presented as a government file, uncut and unedited, which was found after the even actually took place. Therefore, the entire film is shot from a handheld camera and never changes from this view (even though at times you wish it would). The special effects were top notch and despite the films small budget, was surprisingly well done.
I wouldn't say this movie is one I would see multiple time in the theater, but I do look forward to buying it. That way I can stop the movie at any one of the 5 logical endings that they passed over to reach the shitty ending they arrived at! I'm also looking forward to a Making Of special feature that had better be on the DVD, because I would like to see just how they managed to destroy Manhattan on a $30 mil budget.
All in all, it was a good flick, go see it, its worth catching on the big screen, but bring a motion sickness bag, you might just need it!
- W. Mutt