... Trailer ends! This turned out to be the trailer for Cloverfield, a monster film with a different style of filming that lends itself to a more high quality Blair Witch Project. Curious though I was, I never it a go. Then it came out on DVD, and I thought, 'Why not?'
The Plot
The first ... Read review
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
Advantages: FX, acting and visual style Disadvantages: Limited, nothing special
...15 rating.
Cloverfield is an entertaining hour and a half that is worth watching, but don't expect too much. The FX are outstanding, the acting is very good, but there are limitations on the film through the way it is filmed. Expect a sway all the way through the film, as you would if someone was holding a video camera anyway, but definitely give it a go. After all, if you don't, you'll spend a lifetime wondering what the hype was ... more
Last Summer, the airing of Transformers in cinema across the country was one of the most exciting moments for many who had grown up with the show. However, what was on most people's lips upon leaving was the suggestive trailer they had just watched: the short trailer of a new and untitled J J Abrams (Lost) film to be released the following year. The trailer gave nothing away apart from showing a camera filming panic on a street, then an explosion and the head of the Statue of Liberty tumbling down a road. Trailer ends! This turned out to be the trailer for Cloverfield, a monster film with a different style of filming that lends itself to a more high quality Blair Witch Project. Curious though I was, I never it a go. Then it came out on DVD, and I thought, 'Why not?'
The Plot
The first half an hour of the film is spent in characterisation mode. A whole bunch of people are gathered in an appartment in New York for a surprise party for Rob, who is leaving to take up a job in Japan. The party is organised by Rob's brother Jason, his best friend Hud, and Jason's girlfriend Lily. The film is shown from the viewpoint of a video camera, with Jason asking Hud to film the evening's proceedings for Rob to take away with him to remind him of home.
Halfway through the evening, there is an explosion and some thumping from outside, causing panic, and everyone rushes outside, where it is clear that someone or something is attacking the city. Further panic ensues, and as Hud keeps filming, we follow the small band of friends as the military attempt to control the attack at the same time as protecting the civilians, and the group of friends delve back into the city to rescue Beth, Rob's eternal platonic friend for whom he has stronger feelings.
It is revealed early on that a monster of some inexplicable sort has attacked the city, and evacuation is necessary. The camera follows the friends as they go to find Beth and attempt to get to safety.
The Cast and Performances
Abrams has used unknowns for the film. I am not sure whether this gave to the film or not, but it worked in relative terms with Lost and several of his other productions. Rob is played by Michael Stahl-David. The actor has only been in three or four things before this film, but he does not act like iot. He gives a very convincing performance. Rob's brother Jason is played by Mike Vogel, a former fashion model who has recently been in Poseidon, Grind and the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. Vogel does very well.
Jason's girlfriend Lily is played by Jessica Lucas, a stage actress who has only recently risen on the screen scene in CSI. In Cloverfield, the actress does very well indeed. Lizzie Caplan plays Marlena Diamond. The actress has a few films and TV appearances under her belt, probably most notably her role as Janis Ian in Mean Girls, a role I believe she excelled at. Here, in Cloverfield, she is part of the main group of friends, but does not really feature as much as the others, as she is only invited to the party as a friend of Rob and Lily's and I suspect part of her being in the film is to provide something for Hud to lust after to make his character a little more diverse while behind the camera. HUd is played by T J Miller, and the actor does very well. He adds a little light humour by being rather simple, but also lends reality to the film as the man behind the camera. Beth is played by Odette Yustman, again, a little known actress, but funnily enough appeared in Transformers!
For casting, Abrams decided to use scripts from Lost to avoid leaks. As a result, the casting seems very genuine and not contrived, and I believe this shows on film. The use of lesser known performers may have been a good idea, it may not have been, but it certainly reinforces the image Abrams gives of himself to the general public - the producer i well known for constantly keeping an audience guessing and hungry for more.
My Opinion
I sat transfixed for the entire hour and a half that the film runs for. At the end, I gazed in confusion at the screen, and my wife looked at me eagerly, anticipating a reply. Instead, I said nothing. What could I say? The film is unlike any other. The only one that comes close is the Blair Witch Project, in the way that it is shown entirely from a video camera perspective. However, Blair Witch was a cheaply made gimmick and this is a cleverly constructed film loaded with special effects. The FX are amazing in the film, by the way. The creation of a monster rampaging Manhattan Island and the effects of the city under destruction for an hour and a half is very well contrived, especially the injuries involved and the monster itself. As to whether you see the monster, or parts of it, or all of it, I understand that this is part of the mystery of the film, and I won't spoil it for anyone by telling you what you do or do not see. You'll have to watch it for yourself.
I guess I am in two minds with the film. In essence, all it does is chronicle a few panic filled hours filmed from one camera, and in that sense, I can't completely say I enjoyed it. In another, it is a welcome transition from the Japanese style King Kong and Godzilla monster ideas, and Abrams does well in giving the US its own monster. Rumours are of an untitled sequel of sorts on the way. Will I watch it? Probably. Am I likely to go to go to the cinema to do so? Probably not.
The film is a horror, and this is important as there are moments where if you are of a nervous disposition you need to be aware of this. However, the horror is relatively mild and as such the film has a 15 rating.
Cloverfield is an entertaining hour and a half that is worth watching, but don't expect too much. The FX are outstanding, the acting is very good, but there are limitations on the film through the way it is filmed. Expect a sway all the way through the film, as you would if someone was holding a video camera anyway, but definitely give it a go. After all, if you don't, you'll spend a lifetime wondering what the hype was about and if you get to see what the monster looks like...........
Advantages: Excellent special effects. Realistic filming Disadvantages: Hud. Not in Belfast. Monster looked like nothing.
...a new mural of the Cloverfield beast on the solidarity wall on the Falls. Or perhaps the rights of the creature to rampage about wherever it wishes will be upheld by the DUP. Are _you_ aware of Garfield? Heads explode Karma is a be-atch === Who I’d Punch === Without a doubt, Hud. He was so unbelievably pathetic. The way he tried to “hit on” Marlena and how he seemed so dependent on Rob. How many times did he say “Rob” in this film because that’s ... ...=== http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi78774553/ === Conclusion === I doubt I’m the first one to make this comparison but the film is Godzilla crossed with The Blair Witch Project, there’s no doubt about it and if you liked either film you’ll love this. On sale for around £4 new, it’s not a bad buy. Not a film you’d watch a lot. My own copy is actually a present and honestly it’s not something I would have thought of buying having already seen it in ...
Phelthew 18.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cloverfield (DVD)
Advantages: Good special effects Disadvantages: Weak plot, too predictable
Cloverfield was released in January 2008 and directed by Matt Reeves. It follows the story of Rob Hawkins who has a new job which means he will be leaving his home town of New York for Japan. His friends decide to throw him a surprise leaving party. The party is in full swing when what seems to be a violent earthquake brings everything to a stand still as the building shakes and the power starts to go out across the city. The party goers decide to ... ...they see a huge explosion. Everyone rushes out on to the streets where panic is setting in as it seems that a giant monster is the cause of al the disruption and not an earthquake. Their battle begins to escape the city and flee this unknown monster. The start of the film displays the text stating that this film was found on a camcorder after the events and therefore the whole story is filmed on a camcorder but the visual effects and clarity are ...
withers1979 23.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cloverfield (DVD)
Advantages: lots and lots see review Disadvantages: some may hate it!
I really, really wanted to see this at the cinema, I remember the trailer's (well okay I don't remember the trailers that well, but I'm pretty sure I watched one somewhere), and I remember it being the layout on myspace and therefore I knew it was a film I MUST see. I also knew that it was released in the cinema at about the same time as "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane". Only for some reason I had some mixed up idea that this film was an 18, and I'm ... ...on the posters in the cinemas. So I waited and waited for both this film and "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" to come out on DVD then I planned on begging and begging my mom to buy the films so that I could actually watch them. Only there was a really big problem, which happened to be that this film went straight to the 3 for £20 offer (now 4 for £20). And unfortunately, "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" didn't so I waited ages and ages for the other ...
Jonni_boi 11.03.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cloverfield (DVD)
Advantages: Good special effects Disadvantages: Dull, monotonous, no character development...
A group of friends are getting together to celebrate Rob's new job in Japan, and one of them decides to film the party on a camcorder. During the celebration, there is what appears to be a massive earthquake, terrifying everyone. But worse is to come. Television news shows that the authorities have no idea what is happening, and the military are called in to try and contain everyone. The appearance of a massive monster throws everyone into a panic, ... ...between. As people around them are dying, Rob and his friends struggle to survive....What is going on and will any of them live to tell the tale? There isn't much in the way of character development in Cloverfield. To be honest, I wasn't really expecting much, but I did think there would be more than there was. Rob is the character that stands out the most, mainly because he is supposed to be leaving, but has an unresolved love interest. Michael ...
sunmeilan 03.10.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cloverfield (DVD)
Advantages: The CGI/special effects are fairly good, its quite atmospheric I guess Disadvantages: Characters, a mix of too many genres, just doesnt really 'work' (see review)
...I first heard about Cloverfield on the BBC show Film 2008 I think. It sounded intriguing, although it didn't get that good a review but sometimes im not sure how much to pay attention to reviews... I decided I'd like to see it anyway, out of curiosity about the story, so I rented it online last night. Read on for more information about the movie and what I thought about it.
- Main Credits (non-actors, which are mentioned further on in the review) ... ...the acting cast) -
Cloverfield tells the story of a group of friends at a surprise leaving party for their friend Rob (played by Michael Stahl-David) in New York City, who witness an explosion that takes place in the distance and things get worse from there on in, as they see TV footage showing that the head of the statue of liberty has been ripped off and thrown into the city by whoever, or whatever, is attacking it. The movie is filmed on a video ...
IzzyS 19.10.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cloverfield (DVD)
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Advantages: Thrills, Big Monsters, Through hand held camera, looks more practical though a fiction Disadvantages: Disturbing images , not suitable for children
This section is for DVD review but I didnt watch it over DVD. Still I could not resist writing a review for the movie which I saw this weekend only. And believe me , I liked it so much that I am gonna buy the DVD as soon as I see one on the shelves.
Regardless of the presence of mind-twisting, building-high monsters, "CLOVERFIELD" is one of the most cherished, memorable monster movie ever made. It may well precursor a new wave of films that rely on the amalgamation of the incredible and recognizable. But for now, director Matt Reeves's movie is its own creation, a jittery thrill ride that is ruthless in its escalation of tension, merciless in its intensity. And what a fun indeed!
Cloverfield shall feel indebted to both "Godzilla" and "The Blair Witch Project". It's a full on monster movie like Godzilla with a enormous creature ...
pallavi_171 27.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cloverfield DVD
Advantages: fast paced. Disadvantages: Everything else.
So yes. After th large hype of the release of Cloverfield. It finally came on DVD, into my stretched hands.
The film for me was honestly, a disapointment. After all this hype, i was expecting something massively gripping and in there.
I had to wait for half an hour for it to get interesting, through rubbish camera skills and commentary from people i dont give a damn about.
I know its meant to add to it's charm, with the unexperienced camera skills, but be honest, it was just bad.
I felt like i wanted to just turn it of and watch another film after all the end of the world dribble. It was predictable and a waste of my money and i would not recomend it to anyone with a brain span. ...
sammy-ere 03.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Cloverfield DVD
that people attended multiple screenings of Transformers in order to see the trailer again; people recorded the trailer on mobile phones and posted it on youtube.com only to have it pulled down in minutes. And then still without a clue as to what was going on the news of the trailer made America's main news programs. A month later a young couples wedding website was so overwhelmed with hits it caused the site to collapse, amateur sleuths had drawn them to a website that shared the character names of two of the characters from the movie (both revealed in the trailer). Then in late August somehow the world Cloverfield became attached to this trailer. Since then the movie's producer J.J. Abrams and his team of media wizards have been playing games with the public and the media. But finally after what seems like an eternity Cloverfield is here ...
sghawken 22.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cloverfield DVD
A highly-classified video tape confiscated by the U.S. military shows the devastating effects of a monster attack on New York City. Crudely shot on handycam by a group of friends at a party, the film quickly evolves into a blow-by-blow account of the most surreal and terrifying ordeal of their young lives...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital
Special Features
Director's commentary
Professional reviews
Review
It succeeds brilliantly in reconciling its camcorder verite style with the traditional demands of a big blockbuster... CLOVERFIELD feels like a nightmare dredged up from the 21st century subconscious (BBC, 17/03/2008)
A dazzling experiment that paid off immensely, this is cinematic pleasure at its purest (Empire, 17/03/2008)
A surreptitiously subversive, stylistically clever little gem of an entertainment (Entertainment Weekly, 17/03/2008)
The panic is exquisite. The unnerving novelty about CLOVERFIELD is the quality of shock. Fantastic (The Times, 17/03/2008)
This is at the gruelling end of the disaster movie spectrum, unabashedly mining its 9/11 resonances and neo-verite grammar to considerable effect (Time Out London, 17/03/2008)
Breathless blockbuster entertainment (Total Film, 19/06/2008)
DVD Description
A highly-classified video tape confiscated by the U.S. military shows the devastating effects of a monster attack on New York City. Crudely shot on handycam by a group of friends at a party, the film quickly evolves into a blow-by-blow account of the most surreal and terrifying ordeal of their young lives. The first 20 minutes or so could easily be mistaken for some glossy American soap opera, populated as it is by successful, good-looking people. As the camera clumsily weaves its way around the party guests, we're treated to snippets of conversations that provide a back story to the characters' lives. Suddenly and without warning, a series of earth-shattering tremors rock the city, causing mass panic in the streets below. It soon becomes apparent that this is no natural disaster as the city is ripped apart by some gargantuan and malevolent force. Creature features such as this are often only as good as their special effects will allow, and CLOVERFIELD scores very highly in that department. The visuals are simply stunning and so seamlessly executed that they'll have you ducking for cover. In fact, some of the effects are so uncomfortably realistic--buildings collapsing into plumes of smoke, bits of debris falling from the sky--that they will inevitably evoke painful memories of 9/11. The filmmakers were careful not to reveal the monster too early on in the film, as the anticipation of seeing it for the first time is half the fun. Instead, they tease the viewer with flashes of a giant tail or leg in between skyscrapers. This makes the final reveal that much more satisfying, as the unknown becomes known. But where the film tantalises, it also frustrates as it offers no answers to the most obvious questions; what is this thing? How did it suddenly appear out of nowhere? What's its beef with New York City? Ironically, it's this very inscrutability that makes the film so intriguing, as we are reminded that wanton acts of destruction--such as the terrorist attacks of 9/11--always leave questions unanswered. Shot in real-time in a cinema verite style similar to THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, CLOVERFIELD's exploitation of the digital video format is a bold move that pays off handsomely.
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