Cloverfield

USA, 2008. Directed by Matt Reeves. Michael Stahl-David, T. J. Miller, Jessica Lucas, Lizzy Caplan, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman.

Cleverly constructed monster movie which brings something new to the genre in that the whole thing is shot in a hand-held, shaky camera style apparently depicting events as they happen. It’s a mixture of Godzilla and Blair Witch, engaging and maintaining our interest as it follows the fortunes of a small group of young people as they struggle through the streets of Manhattan in the aftermath of violent destruction caused by a scary monster and the smaller spider-like creatures (parasitic lice?) which descend from it with alarming rapidity. The protagonists are at a surprise farewell party when they are suddenly thrown into chaos as the building shakes violently. The aforementioned camera is held by one of them who has been rather amateurishly filming the celebration. Taking to the streets, it soon becomes clear to all that a major attack on the city is taking place. I found it highly effective, not only in its special effects but also in the involvement I felt with the characters. Oh, and it’s also pretty scary at times!