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2007

2006

2005

J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated Cloverfield finally hit theaters and for the most part, lived up to expectations. 

This is a very difficult movie to review given all the mystery behind it, but basically it’s War of the Worlds for the YouTube generation.  The movie involves virtually unknown actors and because of this, most of their relationships seem very genuine and believable.  The film is cleverly pieced together to make you care even more about two of the characters and the action is incredibly intense. 

While some of the lines were a bit ridiculous, there was also some good comic relief that seemed realistic.  I enjoyed the action, but if Blair Witch Project made you nauseous, consider this a warning.  The film style was all handheld, with lots of running and dropping, but it definitely kept you on the edge of your seat.  The use of sound was also excellent for creating tension. 

So How Does It End? 

I can’t say “spoiler alert” enough times, so if you keep reading, don’t blame me! 

The monster is impressively handled through most of the film and is extremely frightening from a distance.  Unfortunately it was a little disappointing up close.  Perhaps that’s just because I’ve always wanted a movie to be brave enough to not show you everything.  Still the large creature was fairly original while the small creatures (yes, the large thing birthed small, destructive little killers) looked a little too similar to a lot of other aliens I’ve seen in movies (think Pitch Black). 

The story follows the relationship of two people, Rob and Beth, and for most of the movie Rob and his friends are trying to save Beth who is trapped in her apartment.  Ignoring the fact that Beth seems to have spectacular healing ability, the rescue was really engaging and the kiss the two shared before the helicopter ride was incredibly beautiful.  I have some issues with them surviving the helicopter crash however, and can’t really understand why it was necessary.  I don’t think the film benefited from their final “testimonies” to the camera and I would have been happier without the close up shot of the monster before it eats Hud.  I think “I love you” could have been said in the helicopter before it crashed.