cloverfield

Cloverfield

U.S. Release Date: 1/18/08
Running Time: 1:25
Rated: PG-13 (Violence, terror, disturbing images)

Cast: Michael Stahl-David, Jessica Lucas, Lizzy Caplan, T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman

Director: Matt Reeves
Screenplay: Drew Goddard
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Before boarding a roller coaster, you must first read the height requirements, ride restrictions, and warnings for motion sickness that are posted as a precaution. Previous to entering a movie theatre, have you ever observed similar signs affixed with scotch tape?

Posted outside the door for Cloverfield was a sign that read: “If you are prone to motion sickness, please be advised: this movie is filmed with a handheld video device and has constant movement.” This public caveat should have also stated: be prepared to witness an inventive masterpiece that lives up to the hype and then some.

Speaking of hype, when Michael Bay’s Transformers premiered in theatres, Cloverfield’s teaser trailer debuted. The preview featured the infamous scene where the head of the Statue of Liberty tumbles down the street. This sequence alone enthralled moviegoers, but producer J.J. Abrams furthered the film’s cult-like buildup by keeping the title a secret. Up until shortly before its release, Cloverfield was only known as 1-18-08—the film’s release date.

Before Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David) leaves for Japan on business, his New York friends throw him a surprise going-away party. In attendance is Rob’s best-friend Hud (T.J. Miller), Hud’s crush Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), Rob’s brother Jason (Mike Vogel), and Jason’s girlfriend Lisa (Jessica Lucas). But, as Hud tapes over a recording of Rob’s special day with Beth (Odette Yustman), an enormous monster reeks havoc on downtown Manhattan. Hud (also short for Heads-Up Display, like how the movie is shot) keeps the camera rolling to “document” the world-altering event, because as he states, “People are gonna want to know...how it all went down.”

In the midst of the Roland Emmerich-esque destruction, screenwriter Drew Goddard still manages to provide insight into the characters throughout the tragedy. In defense of the deficiency of depth, Cloverfield is merely a terse visual capsule recovered by the U.S. government, not an in-depth study on the specifics of the whos and whats. When you are not emotionally involved in the characters in the end, it should come as no surprise. Even so, Cloverfield is more about the humans on the ground than the beast between the buildings.

Central to the storyline, and parallel to the mayhem, is a love story. Rob yearns for Beth and becomes focused on saving her despite the catastrophe at hand. We understand Rob’s motive and identify with his friends when they refuse to leave Rob’s side. Among the friends, two other pairs exist in some form of love or wanted affection. Through it all, Cloverfield is a beautiful love story; because when darkness falls, it is wise to “forget the world, and hang onto the people you care about the most.”

That’s right. Cloverfield is more than just a memorable monster movie; it’s an experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Most closely compared to The Blair Witch Project because of its home-video quality (shot using a Panasonic HVX200 digital video camera), Cloverfield breaks barriers.

While its title is derived from the boulevard where the Bad Robot offices were located in Santa Monica, CA, one would like to think that the film’s name is relative to the needle-in-a-haystack discovery of the tape. Finding Hud’s footage would be like finding a four-leaf clover in a field of typical three-leafs. Among the rubble, the tape in itself would be gold to the media and a mesmerizing inside perspective for the world.

Similarly, Cloverfield is a cinematic marvel among average endeavors. It’s a flawless creation and a true work of genius. You won’t come across a better and more original monster experience in existence. If you do, enact the “Hammerdown Protocol,” because the apocalypse is near.