Cloverfield: Special Edition (2 Discs)

I must say that peterhasse's review is mostly spot on-well done sir. Personally their is little for me to add other than Cloverfield left me strangely hollow after the experience. The found footage is a well worn plot device and works effectively here, but it didn't allow for character attachment on the audience's part. No one in the film is likeable enough for us to give a damn about if they lived or died. Of course that's the point of Cloverfield to a large degree; the camera is a document of the disaster and we couldn't be lucky enough to find such amazing footage combined with people we would love to root for. That would be contrived.
Still we are left with some deeply impressive shots; the stealth bomber, the street fight, and the collapsed sky scraper, all of which combine to etch a realistic portrayal of the Big Apple under siege.
The monster is more menacing when only half glimpsed but to have a huge creature remain hidden entirely would be a suspension of disbelief… more »

I must say that peterhasse's review is mostly spot on-well done sir. Personally their is little for me to add other than Cloverfield left me strangely hollow after the experience. The found footage is a well worn plot device and works effectively here, but it didn't allow for character attachment on the audience's part. No one in the film is likeable enough for us to give a damn about if they lived or died. Of course that's the point of Cloverfield to a large degree; the camera is a document of the disaster and we couldn't be lucky enough to find such amazing footage combined with people we would love to root for. That would be contrived.
Still we are left with some deeply impressive shots; the stealth bomber, the street fight, and the collapsed sky scraper, all of which combine to etch a realistic portrayal of the Big Apple under siege.
The monster is more menacing when only half glimpsed but to have a huge creature remain hidden entirely would be a suspension of disbelief too far in the age when everyone has a camera.

Anybody who is wanting watch this movie expecting to see the next Roland Emerich disaster/monster on the rampage blockbuster will be very disapponted.
But if you want to see a very original and personal account of unfolding mayem and terror this film works perfectly. It's shot as a documentation of seven hours when New York City is ripped a new one, by a marauding giant beast. The film starts as a hand held home movie to a suprise leaving party, but then as the ground rumbles and explosion's can be heared in the distance turns into terror. This home movie account works as the terror and confusion feels very real and it's as if you are taking part in it. The camera jutters, cuts, jumps as it would as if you are running for your life and these affects really do add the the hyper sence of reality. As for the giant beast, it's filmed in short burst's and you are left not knowing it's full shape, only knowing that it's very big and very nasty. There is no explanation to what it is,… more »

Anybody who is wanting watch this movie expecting to see the next Roland Emerich disaster/monster on the rampage blockbuster will be very disapponted.
But if you want to see a very original and personal account of unfolding mayem and terror this film works perfectly. It's shot as a documentation of seven hours when New York City is ripped a new one, by a marauding giant beast. The film starts as a hand held home movie to a suprise leaving party, but then as the ground rumbles and explosion's can be heared in the distance turns into terror. This home movie account works as the terror and confusion feels very real and it's as if you are taking part in it. The camera jutters, cuts, jumps as it would as if you are running for your life and these affects really do add the the hyper sence of reality. As for the giant beast, it's filmed in short burst's and you are left not knowing it's full shape, only knowing that it's very big and very nasty. There is no explanation to what it is, this again adds to the confusion of the sitiation. The film is filled with great moments of suspense, perfect examples are the bridge and the tunnel sequences.
This is a very original film with a great uncomfortable ending. The film is dark gritty and scary, with a swift running time.
This is without a doubt a monster hit!
But if you see this in the cinema make sure you don't sit too close to the front as at times it may be almost impossible to see whats going on.
An original and outstanding movie, a must see!