Few films in recent memory have had such a smart and intentionally vague marketing campaign, and fewer still live up to the hype surrounding them. In this world where media advertising is king, the brains behind Cloverfield have mastered the art of generating interest and creating a buzz around their film unlike any other since the Blair Witch Project.
Producer J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias, MI:3) and director Matt Reaves have teamed together to create a unique and frightening vision, told from a single camera in the midst of an utterly chaotic New York City. Though this type of filming is beginning to become more commonplace in modern cinema, this is by far the finest example of the genre, as a story of this kind is suited perfectly to the style.
The cast sells the pandemonium with panache, all while injecting a surprising amount of humor to lighten the mood. There are however, enough frightening moments to keep the jokes in check and allowing the atmosphere to keep the terrific tension that permeates the entire 81 minutes of screen time. The visual effects are superb and do not detract from the believability, as there are no “establishing” shots and multiple angles to remind the audience that what they are seeing is a fictional movie.
Cloverfield is easily one of the most original and enjoyable films to come along for quite some time. Style and story blend seamlessly and the line between reality and cinematic fantasy has been considerably blurred. Unique, frightening, original, and ultimately a great ride, Cloverfield is a must see.
Popularity: 17% [?]
Mon, Apr 21, 2008
DVD