Cloverfield: It’s not Godzilla, Dude

By: DThompson | in: Movies |

Cloverfield

Cloverfield, produced by the creator of Alias and Lost, J.J. Abrams, doesn’t exactly reinvent the monster movie, but it certainly gives it a shiny new spin. Crossing Godzilla with Aliens by way of The Blair Witch Project, the movie follows a group of ordinary New Yorkers as the struggle to live through an attack on the city by… something very large.

Cloverfield’s conceit, and what sets it apart from the average big-ass monster film, is that you’re watching a recovered video tape from a personal camera. The movie seems to play out much like a reality TV show; think Cops with a really huge something or other rampaging about. This kind of cinema verite style, becoming increasingly prevalent in film and in real life coverage of events, makes it seem that Cloverfield may be less an updating of Japanese monster movies than an example of what a modern disaster film should be. In fact, it’s possible to see Cloverfield as an allegory for the events of September 11th. Its original working title was merely a date, 1-18-08, echoing the common 9-11. Also, Godzilla, to which Cloverfield owes more than a little, was itself an allegorical take on the atomic attacks on Japan. Most likely, any such thoughts are beyond the point of the film. It exists to provide a fast paced and exciting journey told in a style that’s soaked in immediacy. The story is strong strong strong on plot and light as dandelion fluff on characterization. Since the action takes place over the course of a single evening the characters, of necessity, are a little thin, which doesn’t mean they’re unlikeable or poorly played by the cast of unknowns. Again, that’s not really a concern in a film of this type, the actors only have to be able to place us, the audience, in the moment and this they do quite admirably.

Cloverfield

What starts off as a tape full of generally insipid, if amusing, yuppie blather at a going away party turns on a dime into a series of inexplicaple and unforseen events culminating with the head of the Statue of Liberty flying down the street. In five minutes the vapid, self-obsessed party goers are transformed from urbane sophistication to dust-covered shell-shocked refugees. The movie’s just getting started. We haven’t even caught a glimpse of the creature yet and won’t for some time.
The monster, and what a monster it is, is shown first in tantalizing bits and pieces, leading to longer snippets and finally an awe-inspiring, loving and deadly closeup. It’s not Godzilla, nor, as rumored on the web, is it a giant Alien or a Power Rangers robot. As in Tremors all the standard origin theories are floated: the ocean depths, outer space, a government creation run amok. All that’s ever decided is that Hud, the guy behind the camera, is kind of a dolt. If, however, you watch the background of the concluding Coney Island ferris wheel shot you might just figure it out. There’s method to the style, by not showing its monster, Cloverfield effectively ratchets up tension in the audience to a seat-twisting teeth-grinding level. The film also does itself, and its monster, a favor by taking place almost entirely at night. Darkness is a horror film’s greatest ally and the protagonists spend more than their fair share of time blundering about in some very dark places.

Cloverfield

Unfortunately, the entire plot depends on the heroes doing something suicidally unlikely. But, no more unlikely than a guy running through a New York under siege with a camera glued to his eye. In the end all such complaints are mere nit picking. You knew coming in that Cloverfield was a monster film and you knew it was shot in an unusual first person style. Now know that the story is one ripping tale, amusing, exciting, startling and terrifying by turns. You came to ride the ride and Cloverfield is one big thrill ride, with monsters.

VERDICT: Look Ma, no hands!

Cloverfield Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvNkGm8mxiM

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Posted on January 20, 2008

Comments

10 Responses to “Cloverfield: It’s not Godzilla, Dude”

Ryan of the RSL on January 20th, 2008 5:25 am

It looks like good escapist fun!

HMTKSteve on January 20th, 2008 6:37 am

I can’t stand “shaky-cam”!!! I so wanted to see this but I know that within 10 minutes I would be puking…

Charbarred on January 20th, 2008 7:51 am

Hey, you gotta make some sacrifices for art. I kept myself awake through 2 hours of Inland Empire. The fact that it was 3 hours and I fell asleep is irrelevant, I still made the effort.

Nicole on January 20th, 2008 8:28 am

Well, I guess you’ve convinced me to see it. I had been wanting to see it since first watching the trailer online months ago but then changed my mind after finding out about the style. But I think you’ve changed my mind.

DThompson on January 20th, 2008 2:24 pm

I think this film is WELL worth seeing in the theater, but I don’t know if I’d call it “fun”. The shot-it-on-my-camcorder approach lends a “you are there” feel to the rather horrific proceedings. Ah heck, I had a great time! This has been a great few months for movies, I can’t remember the last time I immediately wanted to see a film again but that’s happened to me twice recently. First with No Country For Old Men and now with Cloverfield.
As for shaky cam making people sick, hey, there’s always Drammamine!

Itax on January 20th, 2008 2:51 pm

Since it is a “big-ass monster film” and it is called Cloverfield, what is the name of the monster? Clover? Field? Cloverfield? I think Cloverfield sounds like an English Butler, like Mr. Belvedere’s cousin. Anyways, does it have name, a phrase in the movie that might become its name? All big ass monsters need names.

DThompson on January 20th, 2008 3:18 pm

Yes, Itax, the monster has a name. I heard a character scream “Fire Cow Space Ranger!” as he ran by. So there you go.

mozzer on January 20th, 2008 4:36 pm

Damn fine write-up, D. You’re review may spur me to get off the couch this week and check it out.

The last movie I saw in an actual theater was Transformers where the Cloverfield trailer was first shown. I need closure!

DThompson on January 21st, 2008 4:05 am

Get your closure Mozzer! And get a little exercise too!

Jay on January 22nd, 2008 11:20 pm

I have seen the movie twice now, watch the ocean in the background on the last part of the “Coney Island” part of the tape, you will see the answer about what the monster is, also the music in the closing credits is perfect for this film.