Cloverfield
Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel and Odette Yustman
Director: Matt Reeves
84 Minutes
Paramount Pictures
2008
Rating: M15+

My initial thoughts when I saw the trailer were "potentially interesting" and at the same time "not another monster movie" with "try-hard realism". (I am putting it nicely.) Of course, the deliberate lack of information by the promoters intended the former as much.

As the trailer infers, the narrative follows a small group of young people in New York City as they celebrate a farewell party, which is interrupted when there is an "earthquake", a roar, a massive explosion and flying debris...

The film begins well enough, the initial action reasonably captivating and the usage of frantic hand-held footage creating a stark sense of disorientation and confusion, where fact is shadowed by fear. While this continual ambiguity (which is inherent to an "eyewitness" account) contributes to the eeriness and intensity of the situation, it is also somewhat annoying. The stupidity of some of the characters also adds to the frustration.

There is no denying that the visual effects and cinematography were very well done at times. For some, the hand-held stylization will be too much (some paracetamol might be required) and others will no doubt rave about it. However, in the end, given the insubstantial narrative, it was a very dissatisfying experience and the fact that it had some potential made it all the more disappointing and disgraceful.