Nathan is a published movie reviewer and independent film director of the upcoming movie: Graphic Fantasy.
Initial Thoughts
This past Tuesday night I went to an advanced press screening of Cloverfield, which was set up like a "Rob's Party" themed preview party for press and guests. Some guy was walking around with a hand held asking us to say something to Rob. I thought this was so awesome, and I really wished I had my camera. Unfortunately, security was extremely tight... All phones and other recording equipment had to be checked in, we all had to sign wavers, and then were scanned by metal detectors. Honest!
Before the movie started, there was the Star Trek Teaser… It starts off with three recognizable audio quotes about space from history. Then it says "From Director J.J Abrams" and it blacks in and out of shots showing the Enterprise being built, but it's like they were building it now, in our time. (Area 51? I hope not.) Guys on top of it welding it together, cranes, etc. It shows a few shots of that and the last shot is a side shot showing the name of the ship USS ENTERPRISE, then the voice “Space. The final frontier”, and then it shows a faded in and out version of the Emblem and then “The Future Begins” and “Under Construction Christmas 2008”. Even though you don't get to see it in full view, the ship looks pretty darn awesome. I’m a little nervous, yet extremely excited, about this next Trek film.
And now, Cloverfield!!!
A chase here, running there, duck and cover, say something funny, camera shake, repeat… That’s about it.
Alright, seriously, before I begin I must apologize, I do get rather persnickety and hyper-critical about this film. I plan to watch this movie again ASAP, just to inanely enjoy it. However, as a reviewer, I have to look beyond the film as purely entertainment, and dissect it accordingly. So don’t hate me for some of my comments, please watch the movie and judge it for yourselves. The movie is well worth it.
Some have said in other reviews, that those who easily get sick/ nauseous, should beware. A couple people at my press showing, were actually bent over in their seats or had to leave for a while, because it can have an extremely dizzying effect, due to the shaky camera. I did perfectly fine.
I do have really conflicting feelings about this film. The overall plot is, frankly, unrealistic. But, in all honesty, if we're talking about a monster movie, why would we care how unrealistic it is? In many ways, the film works because there is some very strong dialogue and realistic scenes scattered throughout the movie. While in other places it just falls short.
I can name a ton of things that are valid complaints that are going to ruin the film for some viewers. But I think the people that dislike it are going to be most irritated by the people who love it.
This is a hand held camera movie, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The film is “found footage“, not an assembled film. There is horrible camera work at times, but for the most part it's steady. Until the action scenes start, where they are running or something crazy is happening, does the camera tend to go wild and all over the place. In does seem very realistic at times, and at other times, quite staged.
The footage is recovered in Central Park, and is suppose to be being used by scientists and the military, as to review details and analyze the threat of “The Monster”.
Everything that you’ve seen in giant monster movies is happening somewhere in this film. A general is screaming about nuking New York, a politician screaming that you can’t nuke New York, the President wants to know where this thing came from, and several thousand journalist are trying to figure it all out too.
But this film isn’t about the scientist, the generals, the Presidents, or any of the usual cast of characters. This time, the film is from the perspective of those people that live in those buildings that the monster is breaking through.
What about those characters?
Conveniently, the opening of the film has about 20 minutes of exposition and character introduction, would a “found film”, really have that? Probably not.
First we have our “hero”, Rob, who’s going away party everyone is attending, Rob’s moving to Japan. Rob slept with the love of his life and yet never called her afterwards. How deep is your love, Rob? Then, Rob’s dream girl thinks it would be in everyone’s best interest to bring her latest boy toy to Rob’s going away party. Can we say, heartless bitch, or is she getting back at Rob? Whatever. Next we have Rob’s brother, Jason, who seems to always be arguing with his beautiful girlfriend Lilly, yet the beautiful Lilly doesn’t fail to drop hints that she wants to marry Jason. Then of course the camera man, Hud. One of the best characters in the film. A simple guy. Always says the right funny things to break the tension. Hud’s love interest, Marlena, another beautiful girl that ignores him but through the course of the film, ends up liking him. All a mixed-bag of attractive people, ready to be on film… Where’s all the real life fat-n-ugly people???
You can't blend attempted stark realism ala hand held found footage with WB actors, it just doesn't work. It was overtly comical how the only lines spoken or heard provided exposition for the plot. The tape audio would cut in long enough for us to hear "Hey guys I'm excited Rob's going to Japan- this party we are throwing for Rob will be great...because he is going to Japan!"
Got it...throwing a party, awesome...Japan...Rob. Why couldn't the filmmakers let us DISCOVER the plot of this film instead of telling us step by step through well placed dialogue what context we were in? Even when the monster arrives the entire film feels somewhat forced, every effect, zoom and focus re-shift feels staged. It never really feels like “found footage” to me, it feels more like “pretend found footage shot by an experienced Director of Photography but made to feel like found footage“. Even “Blair Witch” did this more effectively. However, Cloverfield does reveal the “Bad Guy”, so to speak, and does have more exposition, plot, and action.
Needless to say, our heartbroken hero, Rob, gets a panic stricken phone call from the love of his life. She is trapped. Oh no! Then the phone signal is lost, and he tries to call her again… and nothing. Oh no again! She’s trapped, but WHERE??? (Come on) Rob says he will go find her, alone… But of course his friends go with him. (And subsequently get killed one by one.) Is she really worth the lives of all your friends Rob?
During the monster's initial attack, the look of terror on the faces at Robs party, was very well done and pulls you into the moment. When no one is sure what is happening, one of the characters voices the fears of everyone, "is this another terrorist attack?".
The film does borrow a lot of imagery from the 9/11 tragedy, I guess, to make it more realistic. I found this a little unnerving, but understandable. While on that note, I wish they would have picked a new city to attack. Even from a filmmaker's perspective, aren't we DONE with New York? Give me a new backdrop, place these panicked characters in an unsuspecting environment. MOVE ON.
This cast doesn’t actually tap deep enough into their “real” selves, but rather acted the way they THINK people act in these scenarios...They yelled, cried, stared blankly, etc. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good, but not exceptional. Granted, it’s not like we have much reference to the reactions of people getting attacked by giant monsters, but we do have reference to people in a plethora of other horrible situations.
Okay… You want to know what the Monster looks like?
It looks real enough, the thing doesn't look to much like a CGI monster. Some people who were over-hyped, may feel like the monster is a letdown. In my opinion, the monster(s) will not disappoint, despite how little we actually see. Honestly, what I love the most about the monster is that even as you're walking out of the theater, you still have no idea what the heck the thing was, or where it even came from. A few theories are proposed in the film itself, but none of them are ever affirmed. It is enormous! Even though I’ve seen it… I am hard-pressed to explain what it truly looks like. It has a tail, it has teeth and freaky eyes, it’s kinda of a grayish-yellowish-off-white-green looking thing. But more important than the creature is what it does, and the little bug creatures that come with it.
Like I said, you know nothing about the monster's origins. Neither do the characters, and throughout the movie, you only react to situations the way the characters do. In most "monster/scary movies" the tension is built with music, slow movement, with a jumpy two-second segment. In Cloverfield, it’s completely unlike anything we‘ve seen before, no music cues, no soundtrack, no set-ups. Kudos, to at least trying something different, truly a new twist on something familiar.
One thing that bothered me about the movie is that the Air Force must really have the worse aim ever. There is a big ass monster that doesn’t move very fast, yet they keep missing it and hit everything around it. Okay... That part I can believe, however there are things that even suspension of disbelief can’t recover from, like…
This whole thing must have been filmed with one helluva handi-cam! Apparently they couldn’t decide whether the footage is on tape or an SD card. Battery life on that baby is amazing and they even used the built in light. If the battery life isn’t enough to make you want to buy this thing, then check out that shock resistance. Drops, kicks, fireballs, crashes, small bug-like creature attacks, etc. Only maintenance you need is to wipe the lens periodically. DAMN!
Also, can the everyday Joe really get city and people shots this good? Sure, absolutely. However, I doubt anyone would focus on romantic displays of affection while a giant Lovecraftian beast is destroying New York City. But I digress…
The monster itself will remain an enigma. No explanation is given as to where it came from, whether it is intelligent or not, or why it is able to shrug off direct hits from high-powered explosives with nary a scratch. During the two scenes where the audience gets a clear look at it, it appears different, making me wonder if there were multiple large monsters attacking the city. Dunno? I am not one who needs everything explained to me, but some small hints as to the nature of the beast, or a slight amount of closure to the end of the film would have been nice, but certainly not a requirement.
What is SLUSHO?… “Uh oh, I don’t feel so good.” (Can we say “The Stuff”?)
This past Tuesday night I went to an advanced press screening of Cloverfield, which was set up like a "Rob's Party" themed preview party for press and guests. Some guy was walking around with a hand held asking us to say something to Rob. I thought this was so awesome, and I really wished I had my camera. Unfortunately, security was extremely tight... All phones and other recording equipment had to be checked in, we all had to sign wavers, and then were scanned by metal detectors. Honest!
Before the movie started, there was the Star Trek Teaser… It starts off with three recognizable audio quotes about space from history. Then it says "From Director J.J Abrams" and it blacks in and out of shots showing the Enterprise being built, but it's like they were building it now, in our time. (Area 51? I hope not.) Guys on top of it welding it together, cranes, etc. It shows a few shots of that and the last shot is a side shot showing the name of the ship USS ENTERPRISE, then the voice “Space. The final frontier”, and then it shows a faded in and out version of the Emblem and then “The Future Begins” and “Under Construction Christmas 2008”. Even though you don't get to see it in full view, the ship looks pretty darn awesome. I’m a little nervous, yet extremely excited, about this next Trek film.
And now, Cloverfield!!!
A chase here, running there, duck and cover, say something funny, camera shake, repeat… That’s about it.
Alright, seriously, before I begin I must apologize, I do get rather persnickety and hyper-critical about this film. I plan to watch this movie again ASAP, just to inanely enjoy it. However, as a reviewer, I have to look beyond the film as purely entertainment, and dissect it accordingly. So don’t hate me for some of my comments, please watch the movie and judge it for yourselves. The movie is well worth it.
Some have said in other reviews, that those who easily get sick/ nauseous, should beware. A couple people at my press showing, were actually bent over in their seats or had to leave for a while, because it can have an extremely dizzying effect, due to the shaky camera. I did perfectly fine.
I do have really conflicting feelings about this film. The overall plot is, frankly, unrealistic. But, in all honesty, if we're talking about a monster movie, why would we care how unrealistic it is? In many ways, the film works because there is some very strong dialogue and realistic scenes scattered throughout the movie. While in other places it just falls short.
I can name a ton of things that are valid complaints that are going to ruin the film for some viewers. But I think the people that dislike it are going to be most irritated by the people who love it.
This is a hand held camera movie, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The film is “found footage“, not an assembled film. There is horrible camera work at times, but for the most part it's steady. Until the action scenes start, where they are running or something crazy is happening, does the camera tend to go wild and all over the place. In does seem very realistic at times, and at other times, quite staged.
The footage is recovered in Central Park, and is suppose to be being used by scientists and the military, as to review details and analyze the threat of “The Monster”.
Everything that you’ve seen in giant monster movies is happening somewhere in this film. A general is screaming about nuking New York, a politician screaming that you can’t nuke New York, the President wants to know where this thing came from, and several thousand journalist are trying to figure it all out too.
But this film isn’t about the scientist, the generals, the Presidents, or any of the usual cast of characters. This time, the film is from the perspective of those people that live in those buildings that the monster is breaking through.
What about those characters?
Conveniently, the opening of the film has about 20 minutes of exposition and character introduction, would a “found film”, really have that? Probably not.
First we have our “hero”, Rob, who’s going away party everyone is attending, Rob’s moving to Japan. Rob slept with the love of his life and yet never called her afterwards. How deep is your love, Rob? Then, Rob’s dream girl thinks it would be in everyone’s best interest to bring her latest boy toy to Rob’s going away party. Can we say, heartless bitch, or is she getting back at Rob? Whatever. Next we have Rob’s brother, Jason, who seems to always be arguing with his beautiful girlfriend Lilly, yet the beautiful Lilly doesn’t fail to drop hints that she wants to marry Jason. Then of course the camera man, Hud. One of the best characters in the film. A simple guy. Always says the right funny things to break the tension. Hud’s love interest, Marlena, another beautiful girl that ignores him but through the course of the film, ends up liking him. All a mixed-bag of attractive people, ready to be on film… Where’s all the real life fat-n-ugly people???
You can't blend attempted stark realism ala hand held found footage with WB actors, it just doesn't work. It was overtly comical how the only lines spoken or heard provided exposition for the plot. The tape audio would cut in long enough for us to hear "Hey guys I'm excited Rob's going to Japan- this party we are throwing for Rob will be great...because he is going to Japan!"
Got it...throwing a party, awesome...Japan...Rob. Why couldn't the filmmakers let us DISCOVER the plot of this film instead of telling us step by step through well placed dialogue what context we were in? Even when the monster arrives the entire film feels somewhat forced, every effect, zoom and focus re-shift feels staged. It never really feels like “found footage” to me, it feels more like “pretend found footage shot by an experienced Director of Photography but made to feel like found footage“. Even “Blair Witch” did this more effectively. However, Cloverfield does reveal the “Bad Guy”, so to speak, and does have more exposition, plot, and action.
Needless to say, our heartbroken hero, Rob, gets a panic stricken phone call from the love of his life. She is trapped. Oh no! Then the phone signal is lost, and he tries to call her again… and nothing. Oh no again! She’s trapped, but WHERE??? (Come on) Rob says he will go find her, alone… But of course his friends go with him. (And subsequently get killed one by one.) Is she really worth the lives of all your friends Rob?
During the monster's initial attack, the look of terror on the faces at Robs party, was very well done and pulls you into the moment. When no one is sure what is happening, one of the characters voices the fears of everyone, "is this another terrorist attack?".
The film does borrow a lot of imagery from the 9/11 tragedy, I guess, to make it more realistic. I found this a little unnerving, but understandable. While on that note, I wish they would have picked a new city to attack. Even from a filmmaker's perspective, aren't we DONE with New York? Give me a new backdrop, place these panicked characters in an unsuspecting environment. MOVE ON.
This cast doesn’t actually tap deep enough into their “real” selves, but rather acted the way they THINK people act in these scenarios...They yelled, cried, stared blankly, etc. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good, but not exceptional. Granted, it’s not like we have much reference to the reactions of people getting attacked by giant monsters, but we do have reference to people in a plethora of other horrible situations.
Okay… You want to know what the Monster looks like?
It looks real enough, the thing doesn't look to much like a CGI monster. Some people who were over-hyped, may feel like the monster is a letdown. In my opinion, the monster(s) will not disappoint, despite how little we actually see. Honestly, what I love the most about the monster is that even as you're walking out of the theater, you still have no idea what the heck the thing was, or where it even came from. A few theories are proposed in the film itself, but none of them are ever affirmed. It is enormous! Even though I’ve seen it… I am hard-pressed to explain what it truly looks like. It has a tail, it has teeth and freaky eyes, it’s kinda of a grayish-yellowish-off-white-green looking thing. But more important than the creature is what it does, and the little bug creatures that come with it.
Like I said, you know nothing about the monster's origins. Neither do the characters, and throughout the movie, you only react to situations the way the characters do. In most "monster/scary movies" the tension is built with music, slow movement, with a jumpy two-second segment. In Cloverfield, it’s completely unlike anything we‘ve seen before, no music cues, no soundtrack, no set-ups. Kudos, to at least trying something different, truly a new twist on something familiar.
One thing that bothered me about the movie is that the Air Force must really have the worse aim ever. There is a big ass monster that doesn’t move very fast, yet they keep missing it and hit everything around it. Okay... That part I can believe, however there are things that even suspension of disbelief can’t recover from, like…
This whole thing must have been filmed with one helluva handi-cam! Apparently they couldn’t decide whether the footage is on tape or an SD card. Battery life on that baby is amazing and they even used the built in light. If the battery life isn’t enough to make you want to buy this thing, then check out that shock resistance. Drops, kicks, fireballs, crashes, small bug-like creature attacks, etc. Only maintenance you need is to wipe the lens periodically. DAMN!
Also, can the everyday Joe really get city and people shots this good? Sure, absolutely. However, I doubt anyone would focus on romantic displays of affection while a giant Lovecraftian beast is destroying New York City. But I digress…
The monster itself will remain an enigma. No explanation is given as to where it came from, whether it is intelligent or not, or why it is able to shrug off direct hits from high-powered explosives with nary a scratch. During the two scenes where the audience gets a clear look at it, it appears different, making me wonder if there were multiple large monsters attacking the city. Dunno? I am not one who needs everything explained to me, but some small hints as to the nature of the beast, or a slight amount of closure to the end of the film would have been nice, but certainly not a requirement.
What is SLUSHO?… “Uh oh, I don’t feel so good.” (Can we say “The Stuff”?)
Final Thoughts...
This movie does have a very basic survival/rescue mission plot line, with cliché romance and horror scenes thrown in for good measure. But it does the job, it entertains quite well, so long as you don’t nitpick as much as I tend to do.
This movie certainly is an experience! It’s certainly something you should see theatrically if you’re going to judge it properly. And you should pick the theater with the very best sound-system, best seats, and the best screen possible.
This is an immense movie. A reinvention of the giant monster movie, the disaster movie, and the way films are marketed and released. I absolutely enjoyed this film, the only thought I had when it was over was how I wanted to watch again.
Either love it or hate it, just watch it! .....A-
This movie certainly is an experience! It’s certainly something you should see theatrically if you’re going to judge it properly. And you should pick the theater with the very best sound-system, best seats, and the best screen possible.
This is an immense movie. A reinvention of the giant monster movie, the disaster movie, and the way films are marketed and released. I absolutely enjoyed this film, the only thought I had when it was over was how I wanted to watch again.
Either love it or hate it, just watch it! .....A-
-Nathan Bechtold / Cold Coffee Movies Special Guest
www.graphicfantasymovie.com
http://coldcoffeemovies.blogspot.com/
http://cool-sci-fi.blogspot.com/
www.herospy.com
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