Movie Review: Cloverfield

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Written by Carly Hope Finseth

When the trailer for producer J.J. Abrams's latest action-mystery spectacle first hit theaters in July 2007 (attached to the blockbuster Transformers), it quickly became one of the most talked about trailers in recent movie history. It was mysterious, scary, and - most of all - hush-hush, as Abrams and others behind the film, including director Matt Reeves, were keeping the details of this much-anticipated film on the down-low. The Internet became abuzz, wondering what this new movie - known only as Cloverfield - was about. Speculation ran high... as did expectations, as audiences eagerly awaited its January 2008 theatrical release.

About the Blu-Ray Version

Whereas the Blu-ray version of Cloverfield isn't necessarily teeming with new special features, it does have some high-definition featurettes, as well as one fantastic feature that is more than worth checking out: Special Investigation Mode.

When selecting Special Investigation Mode, the movie screen transforms into a heads up display - with a map of Manhattan on the left, a box underneath the film showing information, trivia, and clues about each character and scene, and a radar GPS system that indicates how close the characters are to the Cloverfield monster. It's like watching the film on a military analysis screen; very, very cool and very, very clever. Plus, the clues and information that come up include data previously unknown to Cloverfield viewers, unlocking an entirely new direction to the plot, as well as some additional possible conspiracy theories.

In terms of the other special features, they pretty much follow suit with the regular DVD version. There is a commentary by director Matt Reeves, a "Making of" Featurette, a small feature on the visual effects of the film, as well as the "Making of" the monster entitled "I Saw It! It's Alive! It's Huge!" You'll also find all of the standards, including Deleted Scenes, Alternate Endings, and "Clover Fun" (Outtakes) - all of which are presented in HD. Yet, there is one problem: the HD features all come in with an annoying flashy light effect; bright colors come in almost too brightly and flicker throughout the features - giving me a headache more than once. Even so, you can't argue with the crispness of HD; Blu-ray is the perfect format for a visual effects stunner such as this. And the sound? Freaking incredible.

And so. I highly recommend the Blu-ray release of Cloverfield - both for fans of the film, as well as those who haven't yet seen it but are looking to expand their Blu-ray collection. It has the complete package of what a great Blu-ray film should be: visually spectacular, loaded with special features, and full of high intensity fun.

Cloverfield (Blu-ray) starring Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, and Michael Stahl-David
Paramount Pictures, Rated PG-13. Available online at Amazon.com.

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This rising anticipation, however, is almost precisely what did this movie in - causing low grosses at the box office and a wide onslaught of critical reviews. It seems that what people almost immediately did was take this movie too seriously - and, ultimately, it became its demise. Sadly, Cloverfield fell prey to what so many others have fallen to before: over-hype... ultimately leading to an underwhelming reception.

Now, however, with the DVD release of Cloverfield, the movie has a chance to make it to the masses, delivering at home what it failed to do in the theaters: thrills, scares, action, and pure entertainment. And let's not beat around the bush, folks: Cloverfield is just that. It's entertaining, scary, thrilling, and action-packed. What it is not, however, is something to be taken seriously.

Cloverfield is an apocalyptic monster tale set in an undeterminable timeframe in New York City. A creature - something larger, stranger, and more powerful than we've ever seen before - attacks N.Y., effectively demolishing anything in its path: from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Statue of Liberty and everything in between. The military intervenes and, eventually, the decision is made to completely level Manhattan in an attempt to derail the monstrous being - and to keep it from taking over the entire population of New York, not to mention the world. Filmed with a similar approach as The Blair Witch Project - with a handheld camera from the viewpoint of a Manhattan resident as he and his friends attempt to escape the destruction - the film feels real and gritty, while also maintaining a campy monster movie vibe. (If you get terribly motion sick, beware.) But most of all, the film succeeds at being scary; I screamed out loud so often that I was hoarse at the end of the movie. And, much to my delight, the fear was due to sheer monstrous terror; this is not a movie that "scares" through a veil of vast amounts blood and gore, but rather creeps up on you like the boogie man underneath your bed.

Critics of Cloverfield have claimed that there are too many likenesses in this story to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in order to be enjoyable - and, I'll admit, that I do see this parallel. (When the lead character is on the phone with his mother, crying and saying that he was "right there when it hit," it lands a bit too close to home.) Whereas I am not a New York resident and was lucky enough to not have a loved one perish on 9/11, I still can certainly see how the images of sheer destruction in New York City could be too real - and perhaps to timely - to entertain. However, I can't imagine that the film's producers meant to be blasé or insensitive by any means; instead, the Special Features on the DVD reveal that Abrams was merely trying to scare the shit out of viewers in a way that was "safe," by showcasing unrealistic - if not terrifying - monsters instead of terrorists. Good scary movies, after all, are a bit realistic - so that viewers can immerse themselves in the story and get genuinely terrified. Cloverfield, in this regard, hit the mark. And so. If you can manage not to take the film too seriously, and are ready to simply sit back and be entertained by a good, old fashioned monster takes Manhattan film, then by all means give this DVD a spin.

Cloverfield starring Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, and Michael Stahl-David
Paramount Pictures, Rated PG-13. Available online at Amazon.com.

Watch the Trailer

Where Were You When Cloverfield Hit?

In celebration of their release of the Cloverfield DVD on April 22nd, Paramount Pictures will launch a user-generated video contest to find out where you were when the Cloverfield Monster attacked. Users will submit video entries of up to five minutes, showing their fictional accounts of what was happening to them when the Cloverfield monster attacked. The entries will be judged by other users and will be narrowed down to the top 3 videos. Cloverfield Director Matt Reeves will choose the grand prize winner. The prize is $4,500 and a Paramount Pictures DVD pack. Users can enter the contest at www.WhenCloverfieldHit.com.

About the Author

Carly Hope Finseth spends much of her time pondering what she wants to be when she grows up. She alternates between days filled with cozy socks, hot tea, and meditative reflection - and others, which are loaded with caffeine fixes, grueling commutes, and one fire to put out after another. When she’s not sifting through e-mails, dropping her cell phone, or sticking another reminder Post-It on her desk, Carly also somehow finds the time to write and reflect on important (and the occasional not-so-important) feminist issues.

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