Cloverfield

Cloverfield. Hand-held camera shots. Going away party. *Something* attacking New York City.

For quite some time they've been pimping out this film through viral marketing. There are many people who are obsessed with viral marketing, treating it like some sort of addiction. They can't get enough of it. I however, am not very impressed bi it at all. At times it's interesting, but I lose interest quickly with most of it. If I want puzzles I'll play Myst. If I want frustrating puzzles I'll play Riven. But hey, that's just me.

Cloverfield was intense. The film starts off extremely slow, with about 20 minutes of footage that occurs before the film picks up the action. From that point the film doesn't stop.

The acting is what some might call "amateurish" but it's believable. The actors actually *feel* like they're actually really the people who are escaping a monster attack. The film's atmosphere helps this out to a great extent - limiting all music to the going away party and the end credits.

The film isn't anything like the garbage thrown around about it being like "Godzilla" - unless you think all "monster attacks city" films to be Godzilla. This would include such films as "The Lost World" from 1925, woops.

However, with all the viral marketing, all the ads on TV and the internet, I have a friend who didn't even know what the heck I was talking about when I said I saw "Cloverfield." JJ, you failed us.

I read and agree with someone who said that they felt that Cloverfield is pretty much the longest trailer ever created. The film doesn't delve into many details, and could potentially be a great setup for another installment. And if they do it right - it will be good.

****/*****