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Movies / On DVD / Cloverfield
Cloverfield

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Cloverfield (2008)

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Reviews Counted:193

Fresh:147

Rotten:46

Average Rating:6.7/10

Consensus: A sort of Blair Witch Project crossed with Godzilla, Cloverfield is economically paced, stylistically clever, and filled with scares.

Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for violence, terror and disturbing images.

Runtime: 85 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Theatrical Release:01-02-2008

Synopsis: Director Matt Reeves (THE PALLBEARER) and producer J. J. Abrams (LOST, ALIAS) turn a mysterious monster loose in Manhattan in the disaster flick CLOVERFIELD. The movie begins at a party for Rob... Director Matt Reeves (THE PALLBEARER) and producer J. J. Abrams (LOST, ALIAS) turn a mysterious monster loose in Manhattan in the disaster flick CLOVERFIELD. The movie begins at a party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who has accepted a promotion that will send him to Japan. Hud (T. J. Miller) is entrusted with the responsibility of videotaping the party--and as the trouble grows, he holds on to the camera, recording everything that happens. In fact, the entire movie is seen through the lens of his camera, reminiscent of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. As terrified people in a post-9/11 New York City take to the streets, Rob decides to head uptown to try to save Beth (Odette Yustman), the woman he loves, though he's afraid to tell her so. Rob is joined by his brother Jason (Mike Vogel), Jason's girlfriend Lily (Jessica Lucas), Lily's friend Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), and Hud, who has a thing for Marlena. Rob is determined not to give up, even after almost being crushed by the Statue of Liberty's head and as the military shows up to force evacuation of the city. Reeves and first-time screenwriter Drew Goddard, who previously has written television episodes of such series as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL, ALIAS, and LOST, focus in on the central aspect of the story: people trying to survive the monster attack. Very little else is explained, since the story is told completely through the video camera. And there is no additional score to heighten the drama; the only music is that which is picked up by Hud and the camera's microphone, including snippets of songs by Kings of Leon, Parliament Funkadelic, Of Montreal, and others. The anticipation of CLOVERFIELD's release was enhanced by a viral marketing campaign that included Web sites built around the main characters and even the fictional drink Slusho. [More]

Starring: Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman, Lizzy Caplan

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

Director: Matt Reeves

Director: Matt Reeves
Screenwriter: Drew Goddard
Producer: J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk
Studio: Paramount Pictures

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Cloverfield

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161 - 180 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
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Not for anyone over 30.

Full Review Source: FilmsInReview.com | comment 43 Comments
01/17/08
Victoria Alexander
Victoria Alexander
FilmsInReview.com

The shaky video camera perspective is alternately involving and irritating, but director Matt Reeves keeps the carnival of wreckage spinning at a brisk clip.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
01/17/08
Jan Stuart
Jan Stuart
Newsday

At times Cloverfield seems less like a movie than a theme-park motion simulator, but that's not a complaint.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Weekly | comment Comment
01/17/08
Josh Bell
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly

Cloverfield is the ultimate movie for people who don't feel a cataclysm has really happened until they can videotape it, upload it and stream it live to the rest of the world.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
01/17/08
Bruce Newman
Bruce Newman
San Jose Mercury News

We know only what they know, see what the videocamera sees. I.e., not much.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment 1 Comment
01/17/08
Richard Corliss
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A twitchy thrill ride that's relentless in its escalation of tension, merciless in its intensity.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
01/17/08
Bill Goodykoontz
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic

It's an event movie in January, and when was the last time we had one of those? Experience it on the big screen with an enthusiastic crowd.

Full Review Source: FromTheBalcony | comment Comment
01/17/08
Bill Clark
Bill Clark
FromTheBalcony

The plot effectively reduces down to one long slog from Spring Street to Central Park South.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
01/17/08
Scott Foundas
Scott Foundas
L.A. Weekly

Cloverfield is a success on nearly every front and a film I urge people to see in a theater opening weekend.

Full Review Source: CHUD | comment Comment
01/17/08
Nick Nunziata
Nick Nunziata
CHUD

pure adrenaline-filled fun, and about a scary as you can get with a PG-13 rated monster flick.

Full Review Source: Sean the Movie Guy | comment Comment
01/17/08
Sean McBride
Sean McBride
Sean the Movie Guy

Dont's be surprised if critics use in their reviews the high-concept that producer Abrams did when pitching the project to Paramount: "Cameron Crowe film meet Godzilla meet Blair Witch Project," though judging by result it's mostly monster creature flick.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment 2 Comments
01/17/08
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

By giving Godzilla the Blair Witch treatment, producer J.J. Abrams has created a monster movie for the YouTube generation, with impressive - if not entirely scary - results.

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
01/17/08
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

a refreshing update on the classic genre of a big monster stomping a major metropolitan city into dust

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
01/17/08
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

...the swiftness, economy, and momentum of the storytelling is enough to sweep right over the rough parts.

Full Review Source: OC Weekly | comment Comment
01/17/08
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
OC Weekly

I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong.

Full Review Source: ReelzChannel.com | comment Comment
01/16/08
Jeff Otto
Jeff Otto
ReelzChannel.com

If you thought the Bourne flicks had some nauseating moments, pop those Dramamines during the trailers.

Full Review Source: Beaumont Journal | comment Comment
01/16/08
Danny Minton
Danny Minton
Beaumont Journal

Anyone who thinks Cloverfield's just a tease has it all wrong. The monster is there on the screen and he's absolutely amazing to see.

Full Review Source: About.com | comment Comment
01/16/08
Rebecca Murray
Rebecca Murray
About.com

A terrific movie, filled with spectacle and a surprising amount of humor, which makes up for its lack of terror or emotional impact.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
01/16/08
Peter Hartlaub
Peter Hartlaub
San Francisco Chronicle

This monster mash-up is a lot of fun, creating some intense gross-out moments and maintaining suspense throughout its speedy running time.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
01/16/08
Christy Lemire
Christy Lemire
Associated Press

This film takes you into the heart of the maelstrom and leaves you there.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/16/08
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
 
 
161 - 180 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Cloverfield

April 27, 2009: Five Favourite Films with J. J. Abrams
The blockbuster season is upon us and amongst the line-up is the highly anticipated reboot of Star Trek. RT spoke to the man in the captain's chair, J. J. Abrams, about his... More...

March 02, 2009: Abrams Plots Cloverfield Sequel-Type Thing Opens in new window
Saying "the idea's pretty sweet," J.J. Abrams has confirmed that a sequel to "Cloverfield" -- or at least a new movie "related to" it -- is on the table. More...

September 25, 2008: Matt Reeves Will Let the Right One In Opens in new window
Overture is prepping a remake of Tomas Alfredson's Swedish vampire movie "Lat Den Ratte Komma In," to be helmed by "Cloverfield" director Matt Reeves. More...

April 21, 2008: RT on DVD: Cloverfield, Charlie Wilson and 2008's Worst-Reviewed Film
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a Slusho, whatever that is! Cloverfield stomps its way onto DVD as not only the most exciting new release of the week, but the one most... More...

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