Roderick S. (drrdsingleton93274ca) from TULARE, CA wrote on 11/3/2009...
A great action sy fy from JJ Abrams= the CGI are real nice.
RD C. (allepaca) from TEMPE, AZ wrote on 10/25/2009...
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is one of the most intelligently written sc-fi/horror flix I've ever seen. There's a bit of subtle social satire buried between the lines, and a pretty fair amount of incidental humor as well... particularly in the early "party" sequence, which starts with every indication of just being another boring "yuppie tweens in trouble" yawner. Don't be fooled, though... that's just the set-up, and it really helps to pay attention to all the details (if only to try to keep all the names straight, later.) It doesn't take long before all hell suddenly breaks loose, and you are convincingly sucked into the chaos and panic of the emergency that ensues.
Not to be too much of a spoiler, but I particularly enjoyed the touch of having the film being represented as a "found" going-away party tape, which happened to accidentally erase most of an earlier, date movie made by one of the main characters... this really helps to flesh out the personalities and adds to what is a surprisingly deft character development for this type of film. (Hint--pay attention when the unerased parts of the "earlier video" peep through.)
I also appreciated the fact that when things really hit the fan, the viewer never knows much more about what's going on than the movie's characters. This really adds to the suspense, and draws you emotionally into their viewpoint, and the immediacy and confusion of their plight. Also helpful is the lack of a dramatic or trendy hit-laden film score. Though they may have lost in after-marketing, they gained in atmosphere, and realism.
One warning though-- if you didn't like the jerky hand-held camera and the you've-got-to do-some-thinking-to-know-what's-happening aspect of, say, the Blair Witch Project, then you won't like this flick either. Some people get downright queasy when the camera isn't balanced by those expensive studio gyros, y'know? And maybe also when they actually have to think things through, rather than just sitting & screaming at splattering blood and severed body parts.
To wrap up, I thoroughly enjoy this DVD-- It's a keeper. The story line is surprisingly well planned and executed, especially considering the relatively small budget. And the writers don't insult the viewer by "explaining" everything at a jr-high school level, as so many films do these days. The acting is actually quite good, for the most part (again, a pleasant surprise). The, um, "critters" are well conceived, well represented, and pretty damned convincing.
The only real complaint I've got with this film is minor, and probably directly due to the budget limitations-- there's a rather obvious inaccuracy regarding the size of the statue of liberty's head-- you'll know what I mean when you see it.
James V. from BISMARCK, ND wrote on 10/14/2009...
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I cannot think of a worse movie I've seen in the past 20 years. The plot was poor, the special effects in effective, the acting sophomoric, and the handycam footage nauseating.
Carly L. from FALLS CHURCH, VA wrote on 10/10/2009...
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A really great, quick little sci-fi horror movie!
Alice H. (singlegalkansas) from TOPEKA, KS wrote on 10/2/2009...
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was terribly predictable and stupid. Impaled people don't go running away as quickly as one character in this does.
Wendell H. (W707) from SOMERSET, PA wrote on 9/27/2009...
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Cloverfields one of the most strangest movies i ever had the pleasure of watching because it will have you on the edge of your seat! You will feal that your part of this group of young people who are
walking through the city takeing pictures and recording whhat they are seeing
You wont have time to get bored because all hell breaks loose with explosions and electrical wire are dangelin all over the place. Evaryone is scared but no one know who to fight your to busy running down the street in an all out panic. I had a real problem trying to figure out what was causeing all this devestation and finealy i seen the beast through a fire behind the beast but it lit up the aera well enough to see something you've never seen befor or would ever want to see again.
I liked the movie and my 17 year old GranDaughter watched Cloverfield with me and neither one of us could stop watching because as the movie goes along so does the intence fealing of fear got you and their is no turning back now. I dont want to give away any spoiler your just going to be prepared for a ride ito the twi-light Zone and hope you make it out ok.
I bought the dvd and added it to my scarey movies section....I loved the movie and give it 5 out of 5 stars.....Good Luck in Cloverfield :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufYF0f-zMgY
Jorge S. (jorgito2001) from WESLEY CHAPEL, FL wrote on 8/26/2009...
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This it the movie I wish 'Blair Witch Project' and 'Godzilla '98' WAS! let's see, instead massive screentime of petty arguing & cussing among the victims, they're almost in some kind of tense situation from one moment to the next. And yes, you get to see the monster! Since I grew up on the old-school 'Godzilla' movies, this was right up my alley!
Jill P. (zoby) from LEWISVILLE, TX wrote on 4/25/2009...
1 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.
TERRIBLE. When you can count the number of seconds you actually get to see the monster, you know it's a bad film. The character for the main monster is just plain badass, but why would you only put it in the film for SUCH a short time! The herky-jerky camera filming was a continual annoyance. I actually found myself rooting for the monsters, and cheered when the chopper crashed. (Oh, whoops. Shame on me)
Don't waste your time with this. Great idea, but poor execution.
Adam C. (i12bnmovie) from SAINT LOUIS, MO wrote on 4/9/2009...
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this film. The concept of it being on a camcorder from the point of view of the survivors was brilliant. I loved not knowing everything. If they do make a sequel, I hope that they go in a different original point of view. It truly is Blair With meets Godzilla.
Kevin B. (Mushrat) from PINE CITY, NY wrote on 4/9/2009...
1 of 9 member(s) found this review helpful.
I had to stop watching it after about 30 minutes. could not bear to watch anymore because of the lack of any reality and because of the way it was filmed