Yes, this is directed at all the haters out there. The ones who deny that the movie actually met or even exceeded your expectations, but can't bring yourselves to admit as much. Rarely does a film meet the prior hype. Recall the enormous buzz from the teaser attached to Transformers last summer. It worked!
Think of it this way: Outlets such as Ain't It Cool News and the Austin Chronicle don't freely give out four stars or glowing praise unless the flick utterly warrants it. Cloverfield does. For those who haven't seen it or those who still think there must be easy meaning to everything, don't worry about the title. It means relatively little. Think outside the box for once in your life. The filmmakers, mainly producer JJ Abrams and director Matt Reeves did.
They essentially jettisoned all conventional rules of the sci-fi/monster genre and made a new kind of flick. It's a giant monster thrill ride (even with a bleak end) - just as every monster movie should be. In the grand tradition of Jaws and Jurassic Park. Sure, the jerky-herky camcorder feel has potential to literally make you sick. Imagine Saving Private Ryan meets Blair Witch Project times 10.
But the home-movie movement, simultaneous bursts of dialogue (some of it genuinely humorous at even the worst times), startling scenes of violence (but little of it gory) and raw emotion all lend a bit of reality to the proceedings. I mean, is this not how you'd react if a monster from unknown origins suddenly comes stomping all over your cityscape, killing innocents (many of them your friends) and you feel that there's little no place to run and hide?
Not that you'd probably be concerned about filming an improvised home movie of such danger and carnage, but it'd make for one helluva clip on YouTube and - ultimately - your Myspace page. Even Harry Knowles of AICN admits it feels like an indie movie on steroids. And heck, there's a slight love story stuck into it all. Even the yuppie party that sets everything up isn't as bad as it sounds in previews. It's all awesome.
But as with all Abrams' works, keep your eagle out eye for hidden gems throughout. And enjoy the trailers, such as a sober Robert Downey Jr. kicking ass as Iron Man (fan/geekboys, your cup runneth over) and Abrams' next film du jour, Star Trek. OMG, the beautiful tracking shot of the first USS Enterprise being built in the Federation shipyard. OMG. And yes, I'm sure there are clues a plenty stuck amongst Cloverfield, Star Trek and the upcoming season of Lost. Mind games, folks. Abrams and Bad Robot, you're sick people! In a good way!
Next up on the movie list? Juno (finally?). Perhaps There Will Be Blood. U2-3D (a live concert film that's not really a live concert film), defenitely maybe.
