Cloverfield (PG-13)

Reeling in the success of his hit TV series “Lost,” writer/director JJ Abrams ventured into the film market with the 2008 horror/thriller “Cloverfield.” Combining two intriguing elements to the plot; a real-time format and the increasingly popular found-footage style, “Cloverfield” is a succinct thrill ride unlike any other movie made at its time.

Like the “Paranormal Activity” series, the found-footage genres requires a complex skill-set for the actors in that, not only are they portraying characters trapped in seemingly impossible situations but they must play the camera in a different style. While a typical actor must recite lines as though the camera is not in the room, the players in a found footage story are knowingly speaking directly to the camera.

The story begins with an ominous warning that the proceeding events occurred at an area “formerly known as Central Park” as the viewers are watching a tape recovered from a camcorder. The tape begins on April 27, as long time platonic friends Rob (Michael Stahl-David) and Beth (Odette Yustman) awaken after a first romantic dalliance. Rob takes his camcorder and films Beth, playfully flirting before discovering she has never visited Coney Island. The two embark on a day trip to the amusement park and Rob takes the camera to record the event.

The footage on the tape abruptly cuts to the evening of May 22, as Rob’s brother Jason (Mike Vogel) and his fiance Lily (Jessica Lucas) are setting up for a farewell party in Rob’s honor; Rob has accepted a Vice President position with his company in Tokyo and will be leaving New York in the morning. In effort to capture testimonials from his friends that he can take with him on his voyage, the camera is pawned off on best friend Hud (TJ Miller.) Hud, unaware that he is recording over the Coney Island date footage, then acts as cameraman and occasional narrator for the remainder of the film.

The party is cut short with a loud explosion and breaking news that a tanker has capsized in New York Harbor. With the camera rolling, the friends rush outside to witness the events (along with the rest of the city) and are dismayed when the head from the Statue of Liberty (covered in bite and claw marks) crashes onto the street before them. The rest of the movie follows the friends as they attempt to escape from the ensuing disaster.

The found-footage genre requires excellent acting and the cast of “Cloverfield” delivers. Most are names you’ve not heard of; Michael Stahl-David, Odette Yustman, or Lizzy Caplan who plays model friend Marlena. TJ Miller has a pivotal role as the primary cameraman. The character Hud is involved in virtually the entire movie but is only seen on screen for a fleeting moment at the party before he takes the duties of cameraman.

One of the pioneer films in the found-footage genre, “Cloverfield” keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat for the entire 84 minute running time – an almost unheard of short length for today’s films – as the city of New York flees the attacks of an unknown monster, only shown through brief glimpses until the end, in a way that mirrors the classic film “Jaws.” Dispersed throughout the cataclysmic rampage are occasional moments of peace and tranquility as the tape will sharply cut back to the previous months Coney Island date, offering the viewers a chance to see just how much things have changed in twenty-five short days.

Talks of a sequel have been ongoing for five years but there is no need and I hope none is attempted. Abrams annoyed the hell out of me with his “Lost” shenanigans but manages to deliver with this cinematic treat. As it is, “Cloverfield” is a perfect horror film.

by – Matt Christopher