Review: Cloverfield

I recently had the opportunity to go see Cloverfield, the monster movie from storytelling mogul J.J. Abrams. (He of Lost and Alias fame. And Six Degrees, too, but don't mention that.) The story revolves around a group of friends who band together to get through the city during a tough time in their lives. Wait, no, sorry, that's the plot for Sex in the City/Cashmere Mafia/Lipstick Jungle.
I should mention the reason their lives are so difficult is because a monster is destroying the city.

SPOILERS BELOW

The monster also eats people, too. And has weird spider-like monsters that were (leeching off the main monster? Sentinel's of the monster?) attacking the people throughout the city. And if you were bitten, let's just say things did not go well for you. ("The Marla scene" is perhaps one of the grossest things I have seen on screen.)

The friends were mostly engaging and believable. And in today's society where everyone is more self-centric and media-savvy, the fact that these people thought of themselves as somewhat invincible and taped the whole thing came off as genuine.

You may have heard some people talk about motion sickness problems during the movie. What you have heard is true. The shaky camera, although it gives realism, is very intense. And combined with some disturbing and engaging scenes on the screen, it is tough not to feel a knot in your stomach. I don't buy popcorn or pop at the movies anymore, but if you do, I would maybe advice not drinking anything, because this is a somewhat scary movie.

This is a great movie, though. I would recommend it, and I might see it again - on a smaller screen. Stay through the credits, though. Not only will you hear a great music piece that pays homage to old monster movies, but you will get another clue to the events of the movie.