My Thumb Up: Cloverfield

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

There isn't a lot to say about Cloverfield that you don't already know. A monster attacks New York City. That's it, but it's so much more.

It's:

Blair Witch Project: All shot via hand-held camera...

meets...

Alien: The monster is rarely shown, instead relying on building suspense through darkness, confusion, and things happening off screen...

meets...

Starship Troopers: Attractive 20-ish cast takes on unknown creepy threats...

meets...

Godzilla: A giant monster decimates a large metropolitan area.

What I Liked
• The concept of how the movie is filmed. The story is shot with a camcorder and we're viewing what was recorded on the memory chip. This is maintained from beginning to end. It leaves an abrupt ending, but I appreciate that they kept true to the framework even if I was left wanting a bit more.
• The style means no music. No theme songs, no suspenseful crescendos.
• I was sucked in, and caught myself just about to scream out at the screen. Things like, "You'll be sooooooorrrrrryyyyyy" and "Run you dumbass!"
• It was well acted by an attractive cast of relatively unknowns.
• Really good special effects that aren't overdone. Because of the camera motion and the fact it takes place at night, there isn't too much CGI required.
• No cheap surprises to get you to jump in your seat.
• Not much gore, not much swearing, no sex. It wasn't necessary for the story and they didn't try to shoehorn it in.
• Wise cracks make for nice comic relief moments that made the whole audience laugh.
• It was rumored that the creature would be Godzilla. It's not.

What I Didn't Like
• While you are suspending belief that there is a gigantic thing wreaking havoc, you also have to suspend belief that the main characters are going to do some crazy things. It gets them into trouble which is, of course, the whole point of the movie.
• The Statue of Liberty always gets her head handed to her. Poor dear.
• More information could have been revealed about the monster and what was going on in other parts of the city by showing news coverage on televisions along the way. You'll better understand what I mean if you see the movie.

What You Should Know
• If a Godzilla-esque creature shows up in my city, don't count on me saving you. My punk ass is gonna run, run like the wind, and never look back. You're on your own.
• Don't run towards a disaster area. Chances are nothing good will come of it. And if you do, make sure you have a machine gun. Or flame thrower. Or grenades. Or all three. Even Ripley knew that.

If you're looking for an adventure, suspense, and some adrenaline rushes, this is a good mindless movie to take you away. I liked it and the ending leaves things open for a sequel that I would love to see.