The Duster Today

Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: IMDB photo A scene from "Cloverfield"

The buildup for the latest "horror" movie involving a "monster" has finally come to fruition as the release of "Cloverfield" happened over the past weekend. Needless to say there were many long lines waiting to see the J.J. Abrams movie and the following review is simply one writer's take on what you can look forward to:

Jason Hawkins (Mike Vogel) and girlfriend Lily Ford (Jessica Lucas) are preparing a surprise party for Jason's brother Rob (Michael Stahl-David), whose job is taking him to Japan. Before Rob arrives, Jason, Lily, and many others gather in a Manhattan apartment waiting for Rob to show up. When Lily asks Jason to document the party with Rob's hand-held video camera, he quickly dumps this task into the hands of friend Hud Platt (T. J. Miller). Hud begins making his way through the party and one-by-one asking everyone to say something to the camera about Rob. Eventually, Hud reaches Marlena Diamond (Lizzy Caplan), whom he has a major crush on and annoys her until she finally ditches him. Finally, Rob arrives and the party begins. Moments after his arrival, Beth McIntyre (Odette Yustman), who Rob has had a crush on for as long as they can remember, enters with a random guy. This causes an argument, which Hud documents throughout. Beth leaves, Rob gets upset, and Hud continues videotaping; none of them ever preparing for what is about to happen.

Now, Jason, Lily, Marlena, Hud and Rob have to find a way out of the city before it's too late. But first, Rob has to find and save Beth all the while Hud documents the tragedy from beginning to end.

If you're prone to motion sickness, I advise you not to watch this movie. While the real-life amateur filming was ingenious, it did leave me with a pounding headache afterward. In my opinion, wait and watch this movie in the two-dollar theatre. Or, better yet, just rent it. I will warn you; this probably is not the best date movie. Yes, guys, the suspense is a good way to get your girl to cuddle, but not good enough for the cost of a headache, or her throwing up all over you because the movie has made her nauseas. Unless you want to use that moment to show how "nice" of a guy you are and hold back her hair as she pukes up all of that lovely food she ingested just hours before.

I have to say, the director (J.J. Abrams) did do a swell job with filming it from the point of view of the cameraman. This way of filming definitely added to the suspense and added a beautiful raw feel to it. The actors also did a good job of appearing realistic. I actually felt like these were your normal, everyday young, rich New Yorkers whose lives were turned upside because a monster (that looks like a cross between Godzilla, Predator, and maybe some Eight Legged Freaks thrown into the mix) was attacking them. The monster did drop off little creepy insect friends that added more terror to the already panic-stricken populace of Manhattan.

If you're in the mood for an intense, adrenaline rush, then this is the movie for you.

Editor's Notice: "Cloverfield" is rated PG-13 for violence, terror and disturbing images.

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