Green Shinobi
Banned
I finally got around to seeing this film today. I'd been completely avoiding all spoilers, and so I knew very little about the film going in.
I just have to say, that was one of the best films I've seen in some time.
There is very little that I felt Cloverfield did wrong. It was a little on the short side, but it packs more intensity into its 80 minutes than almost any 120 minute epic. The ending wasn't quite what I hoped for, but it wasn't terrible, and it was probably about the most realistic way for that story to end. The first 20 minutes or so were cheesy at times, but I felt they were pretty real. That's how people in their early to mid 20's act at a party.
With that said, man did Cloverfield do a ton of things right.
1) The characters, and the way they are developed, are awesome. They aren't archetypes; they are real people. I strongly identified with Rob. He's the hero of the story who also happens to be an ordinary 20-something young man. The actor who played him did a terrific job. I felt genuine emotion at the scenes where
, and
, and
The narrator, Hud, was also very well developed. The scenes at the party show him to be pretty cool, but just enough of a loser that the girls don't go for him. The part where he
made him seem like more of a loser, but that's what people like him do when they're drunk and jealous. But the best part of his character was after
and he just stops and looks at the ground for a few seconds until the other characters ask him if he's alright. That lent a touch of humanity to his character that so many films in this genre are sorely lacking.
2) The feeling of suspense and terror that the film generated were awesome. This movie had more genuine suspense than all three Resident Evil films combined and then some. Part of it came from the camera work, but a lot of it came from the pacing and the way information is withheld until it will have the greatest possible impact. For example, the subway scene was a masterpiece. Even more chilling was the way that
until they get to the
, and that woman screams
There were tons of other amazing sequences, but that one in particular was just utterly chilling.
3) The film hits real emotions. I felt connected to the characters, which is something that far too many films are unable to do. In addition to the emotional scenes I described earlier, there was the scene where
Man, what a scene. Too many films are content to present you with characters, settings and events without exploring the psychological and emotional aspects of what is going on.
So yeah, I just can't imagine how anyone would write a negative review of Cloverfield. It's not going to win Best Picture or anything, but I'd say it's the best film in the "apocalyptic" genre that I've seen in years. I can't remember the last one that I liked as much. Maybe 2004's Dawn of the Dead remake, but that would be it.
I just have to say, that was one of the best films I've seen in some time.
There is very little that I felt Cloverfield did wrong. It was a little on the short side, but it packs more intensity into its 80 minutes than almost any 120 minute epic. The ending wasn't quite what I hoped for, but it wasn't terrible, and it was probably about the most realistic way for that story to end. The first 20 minutes or so were cheesy at times, but I felt they were pretty real. That's how people in their early to mid 20's act at a party.
With that said, man did Cloverfield do a ton of things right.
1) The characters, and the way they are developed, are awesome. They aren't archetypes; they are real people. I strongly identified with Rob. He's the hero of the story who also happens to be an ordinary 20-something young man. The actor who played him did a terrific job. I felt genuine emotion at the scenes where
he tells his mother on the phone that his brother is dead and starts sobbing
the scene where he hears the message from Beth who is trapped in the apartment
the scene where he decides to go back for Beth and tells the others that they don't have to come with him.
The narrator, Hud, was also very well developed. The scenes at the party show him to be pretty cool, but just enough of a loser that the girls don't go for him. The part where he
starts telling everyone that Rob and Beth hooked up
Marlena dies
2) The feeling of suspense and terror that the film generated were awesome. This movie had more genuine suspense than all three Resident Evil films combined and then some. Part of it came from the camera work, but a lot of it came from the pacing and the way information is withheld until it will have the greatest possible impact. For example, the subway scene was a masterpiece. Even more chilling was the way that
Marlena started to look more and more out of it, which the audience assumes is just from blood loss
makeshift emergency room
"We've got a bite!" And then you see her get pulled behind a screen and blood splatters everywhere.
3) The film hits real emotions. I felt connected to the characters, which is something that far too many films are unable to do. In addition to the emotional scenes I described earlier, there was the scene where
they finally find Beth and they have to get her out of the apartment.
So yeah, I just can't imagine how anyone would write a negative review of Cloverfield. It's not going to win Best Picture or anything, but I'd say it's the best film in the "apocalyptic" genre that I've seen in years. I can't remember the last one that I liked as much. Maybe 2004's Dawn of the Dead remake, but that would be it.
