A large “something” invades New York, crashing a 20-something party in the process.  Through the lens of a handheld camera, a group of these 20-somethings journey through the chaos, to help a friend that’s hurt across town.   Suspense and shock-value adds tension to this modern day monster movie.  

CRITIQUE

Cloverfield is the very first theatrical event for January.  Usually, a month packed with family friendly entertainment and fluff, this clichéd monster movie worked in all the right levels.  It had a marketing team that was far more skilled than anyone working at Lucasfilm (I mean, did anyone else’s jaw drop during that teaser in front of Transformers?!)   It had the biggest Internet buzz of all time (of course, The Dark Knight is rightfully taking that title, as we speak). The final product is a masterful B-movie that takes on anything the Sci-Fi network airs.

With one handheld camera, people portray real 20-something people (which really aren’t too far off from real, 20somethings). And a style similar to Blair Witch Project, but instead of an annoying lady with an annoying voice, we got one annoying “average” 20something that sort of gives the “average” male commentary on everything that’s going on. If anything, it’s a BIG SCALE film school project of just a bunch of friends gathering around, and creating an amateurish monster movie. Only difference is attached to this simple style, it’s a large size studio movie in disguised.

Cloverfield starts out with an introduction similar to Blair Witch Project – paragraphs on the screen, making the stance that this is an account of an event.  After its introduction, we hear likable Rob, holding his handheld camera, and introducing us to his apartment. He wakes up his love interest, Beth. With quick interconnected cuts, making it seem like bits and pieces of what was on the camera, were taped over other bits and pieces on the camera.  This is consistent throughout the entire movie, a nice plot device, to get us more in-tune with the characters, and feeling for them in the time of need.  

We then jump to Rob’s farewell party. He is leaving for a job in Japan, and his friends put together a nice “farewell” party for him. After about 20 minutes worth, with all the clichés of parties (idiot guys hitting on girls, drama among some of people, and loud crappy music in the background). Before anyone even realizes until AFTERWARDS, the party is crashed by a LOUD SOUND, near by.

The partygoers go up to the roof to see what the ruckus was. With lots of “oh my god, holy shit, what the fuck!”, they see another explosion nearby, and lots of fireballs flying in all directions. They head downstairs, out of their apartment, and into the street. For anyone that has seen the teaser trailer, knows what happens next…but it’s what happens after that, which makes things for an interesting thrill ride.

What’s really intriguing here, as what the critics say about the movie, (with a solid 76% rating on rotten tomato), all are at the same level – it’s an intense simulator, simulating realism to what it truly is – a straight forward simplistic monster movie. It would have been more enjoyable with theater seats moving with the action, but hey, can’t have it all!   The movie theater experience was enough already – seeing it in digital was a memorable one at that.  

What also makes this different from Blair Witch, is Blair Witch is about a group going into harm’s way, and documenting it. You see the group reacting to various things, off screen. It’s well done. But still, it’s missing something. A TRUE reaction, from a REAL person. If you don’t have that, it’s not believable.

With this film, you already have a plot at hand – a homemade recording of a party. Then it became something more, when “something” giant, crashes the party. We see this group of people, reacting in a VERY believable way. And anyone says different, is lying. This group is like you, me, your friends, my friends. And the idea here is what YOU WOULD DO, in this situation.

So this is where some of the critics parted ways in the movie. If your loved one – girlfriend – boyfriend – wife – husband – whatever, is at the other side of town. When a giant “something”, or, bringing us back to the real world, a terrorist attack/school shooting occurs nearby, would you stay put, leave the area completely, or try everything you can to reach your loved one?   Like one of those, “ choose your own adventure” books; the question sticks to many people’s perceptive of this film.  And this is where I connected to the movie. Sure, it may not be the “smartest” idea. But at a time where chaos occurs, confusion arises, and emotions is at an all time high – you go with your heart and your gut. If death is truly nearby, you want to be with the person you love.

The actual monster, is one lethal thing.  In some sequences, the quick visuals are perfect. In other scenes, it looks like cheap CGI. But the realism blends the whole entire thing, nicely, and you almost forget that it is a CGI-something.

But with such a style, you are taking an absurd idea, and making it completely over the top. And for some, that’s what this ultimately is.  When I saw it in theaters, I was in a packed house, with lots of teenagers. Some, reacted to the scenes as it was intended – while others, mocked what was there. At the end of the movie, I heard one teenybopper saying, “that was fucking dumb”.   When you are seeing it on DVD, all by your lonesome – it’s a completely different experience.   Both good and bad – it’s much better with a gathering.  

Going back to the Godzillia/Blair Witch correlation, I do see that.  Going into the film, I pretty much anticipated it.  But to me, there is more to it after the sheer experience.

Right after 9/11, there was a documentary shown on TV called, 9/11. It was about two filmmakers, filming their own documentary about firefighters in New York. They picked one rookie firefighter, and were telling his story. It just so happens, they were filming that day, near the Towers, and before they could blink – they saw a plane heading into the first Tower. The camera then was directed to the sky, and without even realizing it, they captured the second plane hitting the second Tower.

From there on, it was a 9/11 documentary – but even more than that, it was an actual account. The camera captured people’s reaction, as things happened that day. “OH MY GOD, WHAT THE FUCK, HOLY SHIT”, is heard crystal clear. People were standing at the actual sights, and taking pictures/video taping, as things occurred. Speculation of what was happening, were spread among the folks that were experiencing the event. If you want a true 9/11 motion picture, there you have – nothing’s more real and raw than the real deal.  You can find it on DVD.  As a matter of fact, it’s a coincidence that it’s a Paramount title.  

I think the writers/producers studied that documentary, more so, than Godzilla/Blair Witch. And that’s why I think this is one of the most genius movie ideas Hollywood has come up with in a long time. It’s a new spin, on an old concept. And it does take things to new heights – the same way Jurassic Park did. I don’t expect this to appeal to everyone – some will hate it, some will love it. I, for one, love it.  This is what the remakes of Godzilla/War of the Worlds should have been.   And hope studios are taking notes, now.  

THE VIDEO

The print on this standard DVD is decent.  It’s not as impressive as what a Bluray transfer would look like, or the digital print I’ve experience on the big screen, but for all the flaws that’s part of the print, it fits well with the “home video” quality of the film.   You also get a better appreciation, for you notice things more clearly (the CGI monster, and other “Easter eggs” within the film).

THE AUDIO

Not as impressive as the digital print in theaters, since YOU HEARD EVERYTHING, but the English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track is good, for what it is worth.  

From the first BOOM, to the last – and everything in between, it’s a film you definitely want to piss off the neighbors with.   Of course, expect a lot of distorted voices and shaky camera moments with a film like this.

5.1 French and Spanish tracks are also included.   

THE EXTRAS

Might as well call this a bare-bones release, since the extras are ridiculously light.

The first, and probably highlight of the set is a commentary track by director Matt Reeves.  Although there are a lot of quiet moments, for it being a solo-track.  It is very informative on every aspect of the film (the genesis of it, the writing process, the filming, the marketing, and the audience’s reaction).  I think one key aspect I was interested in, was how they were able to film grand-scale effects on a small scale camera – and it is revealed in great detail (something film-buffs and prospering filmmakers may want to know).   And one last key thing that interested me, is how Steven Spielberg was asked to look at a rough cut of the film, and suggested to tweak the last act a bit.   

Four dinky featurettes are presented – all, with the same repetitive information that’s provided in the commentary track.   But each one does reveal a little something about the film.

The Making of Cloverfield reveals that the film was greatly inspired by Godzilla (which is fitting, since the teaser trailer gives a feel that it’s a re-remake of Godzilla).

Cloverfield Visual Effects and I Saw It! It's Alive! It's Huge are both simply repetitive info the making of featurette already covers, which is even more repetitive info the commentary track discusses.

And Clover Fun, is nothing more than a gag reel.  All of this looks good on a press release, or back of the DVD case, but it holds no substantial merit, and is nothing more than filler.

Deleted scenes and alternate endings, with optional commentary by Matt Reeves, proves that despite the film being under 90 minutes long, there was no way of adding anymore to the film, since it’s well paced and well edited together.  Adding anything else seems clunking – and these useless scenes prove to be true.

Supposedly, there are a bunch of Easter eggs planted throughout the entire set, but I haven’t been able to find ANY.   What I did find, was two teaser trailers to Paramount’s most anticipated films – JJ Abrams’ Star Trek, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  A nice addition (especially Star Trek, since that was in front of Cloverfield in theaters), but where are the Clover-trailers?

FINAL THOUGHTS

Cloverfield is a unique experience, which blends all the tools of filmmaking from yesteryears to today; this is what motion pictures are all about.  It’s quality fluff, at its finest.   And it was one hell of an experience on the big screen.  It doesn’t measure much on the small screen.  But it takes a simulated account, and makes it into just simply, an enjoyable movie.

As for this set, I would Netflix it, but wouldn’t bother investing money until a better set comes our way (like a two-disc set full of REAL extras).

A Blu-ray edition of Cloverfield is scheduled for June 3, 2008.