Cloverfield

[BryonD]

An interesting quote from wiwkipedia about the reception of the original Godzilla in post-Hiroshima Japan.

When first released in Japan in 1954, critics blasted the film for exploiting the horrors that the Japanese public had witnessed nine years before as well as the incident with the Lucky Dragon Number 5 that took place months before the film was made and released. However, as time went on, the film became widely respected in its home country and some in Japan believed that the film was second only to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai as an exceptionally well made film.

Obviously I'm not trying to say it will become known as one of the greatest American films. But the more broad point is interesting. Also, Godzilla was clearly a direct commentary and I don't think that was a point in Coverfield. But the one scene was, without question, strongly influenced by 9/11.

 

[mmu1]

Much nodding.

The first 40 minutes was insanely bad on every level. I'm unable to comment on anything beyond that.

The rest of it is worse. Much, much worse. You saw the best parts of the movie.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

A can see your point, but the way I see it sis: Before we had no idea what the destruction of a city would 'really' look like. So, we would settle for big explosions and car wrecks. Now, sadly, we know exactly what it really looks like. Unfortunatly, to depict in in the old 'traditional' way would seem much less believable. Anyway, the scene did not anger me, but it did bring back painful memories. I don't know that that's a bad thing.

Remember that Tokyo had the same resonance for Japanese audiences with Gojira. They watched it and saw post-bombing Hiroshima.

The entire rubber monster suit genre is supposed to give these sorts of uncomfortable twangs. I think it's just been a long time that it did this for American audiences, if it ever did.

 

[Wormwood]

My review in Haiku:

GAP models screaming
a few buildings knocked over
should have watched Juno​

 

[WayneLigon]

I can't understand why people dislike the party scene so much. This is what sets up the characterization and motivations for the rest of the film. It's a classic 'don't tell, show' sort of deal. And, it's funny. It's your climb up that first tower before the rollercoaster ride begins.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

You could really tell it was getting to the audience when I went, people were mumbling, etc. One person muttered quite loudly, "where is the god damn monster, I want to see some people get eaten!"

 

[Hand of Evil]

Movie goers seem to forget how this movie is being presented to them, they are given the video tape; Cloverfield and are reviewers of the events that happened. This movie was about finding the video after the fact. This presentation is important in how the movie was filmed, you were not there, you are an outsider looking in.

 

[threshel]

I frickin LOVED this movie.
The point-of-view (not "realism" - it's a monster movie for pete's sake!) is great; I don't get motion sickness, although I feel for those who do...
I like stories that aren't afraid to just be. We get too much of the wrapped-up-in-a-bow-and-fully-explained that it gets frustrating sometimes. Imagine, an entire movie with nearly no exposition! What little exposition exisited was very well handled.

Now, I know that there's tons of movies with ambiguous endings and little exposition. But how many of them trip the geek meter like this one? Happy synergy abounds...

My recommendation, if you're not prone to motion-sickness, is to see it immediately!

J

Edit - heck, I might go see it again just for the little things I may have missed...

 

[Mistwell]

The movie kicked butt at the box office, is getting good buzz, and good reviews from some touch critics. Looks like it won in the court of public opinion (and I think it's well deserved).

 

[Krug]

I can't understand why people dislike the party scene so much. This is what sets up the characterization and motivations for the rest of the film. It's a classic 'don't tell, show' sort of deal. And, it's funny. It's your climb up that first tower before the rollercoaster ride begins.

The setup was so overrun with cliches. Oh the girlfriend and the protagonist are having problems and she's now dating some French dude. I don't think it would have made much difference if there wasn't that little complication; maybe he'd just hesitate a second less before deciding to save Beth.

And Hud, who tells everyone a secret he's not supposed to tell, or his crush on that other girl which just leads to embarrassment.

Yeah I know it's establishing character and all, but it was like bad juvenile soap opera. Thank the stars the monster landed and saved us from the inaneness!