Cloverfield

This highly anticipated and secretive project from producer J.J. Abrams is as original in its delivery as it was in its advertising campaign. Months of Internet buzz and teaser trailers that showed nothing more than a group of confused party-goers who experience some sort of catastrophic phenomenon have led to the most successful January opening in box office history, and at a meager budget of only $30 million. The brilliance of simulating the entire movie through the lens of a hand-held camera cut perhaps dozens of millions of dollars in special effects budgeting, and adds to the realism and plight of the situation on the screen.

Reminiscent of the Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield keeps the viewer more in suspense because the characters are actually likable, and the events unfolding on the screen are both obvious and mysterious at the same time. While attending a going away party for Rob, something massive attacks New York City, and through the first wave of destruction, we see only shaky glimpses of a gigantic creature through nervous Hud's camera and we hear deafening monster noises amidst the chaos and demolition. We travel along with Hud, Rob and a couple of others as they scramble through Manhattan in an attempt to rescue Rob's would-be girlfriend.

Cloverfield achieves what most other monster movies of the past have failed to. Essentially transporting the viewer to the front line, and not spoiling the film with dazzling effects or creatures (at least until the final 15 minutes or so) makes it a much more humbling and spine-tingling experience. Suspending belief for the sake of entertainment, the characters do a fantastic job portraying the confusion, pain and loss that comes with such a tragic and horrifying event. What initially seemed to be a good old fashioned monster movie ended up being so much more, evolving into what will surely be considered one of the finest horror movies of 2008. The lack of splattering blood in deference to shadows, imagination and half-realism makes this a shockingly scary film.

Because the film was shot on a handy-cam, many of the effects that would typically be the showcase were obscured, but that absolutely made it better. There was no music, which would typically guide the highs and lows of the action. Instead, all we have is Hud's commentary and the raw emotions of the people around him. There is some comic relief, but it is done in a subtle way so that it doesn't take away from the tension on the screen. Another clever parallel is that the action on the camcorder is being recorded over a sub-plot from a previous recording, and they intertwine throughout the entire film, of course ending in a ironic twist.

As the end nears, there is a sneaking suspicion that the film will turn out a certain way, and at that moment of realization (for me it was as they were boarding the helicopter), the hairs literally stood up on the back of my neck. I was thoroughly entertained throughout the whole film, and my only complaint is that it ran a bit long, even at a scant 85 minutes. Abrams deserves everything he gets out of this project (millions and millions) for the originality and innovation to bring this movie to the screen. Certainly no Oscars, but this is destined to be a cult favorite. As entertaining as it gets. 9/10.