Rated PG-13 for violence, terror and disturbing images

Directed by Matt Reeves

Written by Drew Goddard

Starring Michael Stahl-David, Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller and Odette Yustman

Cloverfield, a rapid action monster flick, provides a fast acting adrenalin rush that had me glued to the screen from start to finish. The unique style of the filming provided a first hand view of all the incredible destruction and mayhem. Cloverfield is extremely well done, but not for everyone. The film is best enjoyed by teens and twenties who love their action up in your face and relentless.

On the eve of his departure for Japan, Rob (Michael Stahl-David) sees his going-away party as an opportunity to confess unresolved feelings and tie up loose ends. His agenda takes an unexpected turn when a jolt shakes the revelers. The crowd quiets down to watch news reports of an earthquake, then rushes to the roof to assess the damage. A fireball explodes on the distant horizon. A power failure follows. Confusion gives way to panic as the partygoers stumble through the blackout and into the streets. Amid the human screams and one inhuman roar, Rob and his friends must traverse a landscape that has changed, overtaken by something otherworldly, terrifying, monstrous…- Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures description of Cloverfield is accurate, with enough information to lay out the plot. Actually, there isn’t much more to the actual story as there really is no need for further plot points. What you have here is a unique movie that gives you a first hand view of a disaster.

The best way to explain it is like you are watching a monster flick, but are not missing all the real action within the action. For example in the film Godzilla, like most everyone I followed the plot as the giant monster born through when crushed through downtown Manhattan with the camera moving from Godzilla to what the main actors were doing to escape the huge beast. Well, what was going on with the people when the buildings came crashing down and all the mayhem was going on? This is 24 hours of running, climbing, fighting, clawing and jumping, and as if you caught the catastrophe on your amateur home digital camera. It made me fell like I was going head on into the bedlam in an attempt to save my life and those of friends. It’s a cool flick that I for one will go see again.

WARNING: The camera filming the action is constantly moving with Hud (T.J. Miller) as he runs with his group of friends, so for realism the movie gets shaky and bouncy and sometimes even loop-de-loop, if you know what I mean. For those that have a hard time focusing on this type of camera movement, you may want to take your motion sickness prevention before going to the film. I have a slight echo Librium problem on occasion, but looked away from the screen from time to time and was okay throughout the film.

The violence in Cloverfield may be a little gruesome at times and the monster may be a little creepy, but it’s all part of being caught up in the moment.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Cloverfield is a violent and relentless action film that most teens to twenties and action film buffs should enjoy. But heed my warning.