Cloverfield [DVD]

Like the Matrix 10 years ago Cloverfield has set a new standard for action cinema. Movie snobs often dismiss genre movies like this one as low brow. But the genius of Cloverfield is it's structure; the whole movie is an exercise in keeping an audience on the edge of their seats and it works. Every time it looks like things couldn't possibly get worse they do, then just when things look like they've calmed down a tad the next shock hits. None of which sounds that impressive, until you see just how well it's done here.

Although there's nothing oscar worthy from the cast the films is buoyed along by some convincing performances and humor in particular is played just right: it's funny but not so funny that you relax. The story pulls surprisingly few punches and even seems a little daring for a big budget action movie, culminating in a conclusion that stayed with me long after the movie finished; it's often I've said that about a film of this type. Best of all there is more to Cloverfield then just digital effects and screaming. The main characters find themselves caught between an apparently unstoppable natural force and a military or authoritarian presence that is potentially just as deadly (it's not clear which is responsible for the climatic scene under the bridge). As such the story is a fitting parable for the modern mindset of the average person in the west at this time in history: little people caught between corporate hunger, rising and falling political empires, wars they don't understand, apparently uncatchable enemies who wage war in urban areas and of course the environmental holocaust Hollywood has worked so hard to prophecy. The end result reminded me of the sense of powerless desperation that came from watching 'An Inconvenient Truth' for the first time.
On a technical level every thing looks spot on and the sound mix is one of the best I have ever experienced on domestic speakers, making this the perfect film to show off your new home cinema system.
Unfortunately the special features for this 2 disc edition aren't that special. The deleted scenes and alternate endings run to about 5 minutes tops and really disappoint. The making of features are typical: the cast come over as like-able but most of the time is spent on extremely dull digital effects people. There are only so many ways of saying "We did it with computers. It was complicated.". There's certainly nothing extra here that makes it worth buying this over the single disc edition.

Many reviewers didn't love Cloverfield due to a lack of substance in the characters and others questioning why the guy didn't just drop the camera to begin with considering the situation. However, I can't help but feel when considering what sort of film we're witnessing, where is the harm in suspending one's belief system and allowing ourselves to believe and be absorbed? The hectic camera and the incredible special effects come together so well, I find it hard to believe that anyone could claim that Cloverfield, at the very least, isn't a ground breaking movie that pulls out all the stops. Cloverfield was never meant to be anything but a straight up monster film, and that's exactly what it is. Incredible from start to finish, and even better when watched in high definition.

Having waited for this movie to be released on dvd, i am pleased to say how impressive Cloverfield actually is.A genuinely original monster movie [ if somewhat disturbing, bearing in mind its obvious use of the terrible events of 9 / 11 as a not so subtle reference point ].It is a tense, intellegent and deliberately downbeat film that cleverly disguises its big budget effects through nifty single shot,or out of alignment camera work.This gives Cloverfield the real sense of putting the viewer right into the thick of the action,in a way that few recent movies have matched.

With some brilliantly tense set pieces [and the occasional flaw],Cloverfield is terrific entertainment,and one of the few movies in recent years to justify its build up.

EXTRAS,

The extras on the second disc are adequate, but an opportunity was missed to fully expand on the Cloverfield phenomenon.Where for example are the excellent "news" stories that previewed the film? These would have been most welcome and genuinely in keeping with the story, as would a documentary outlining the whole internet buzz surrounding the film.

What you do get are 5 minutes of deleted scenes[ of minimal consequence ], 2 alternative endings [ ditto],a "making of" documentary which oddly enough erodes some of the mystique surrounding the film.
By far the most interesting are the "in film" mini documentaries that are accessable via icons as the film progresses.However be warned they will unintentionally upset the flow of the movie if you decide to watch them as part of your viewing experience ["news" footage or other stuff relating to the plot may have been more useful in keeping with the spirit of the film].After all if we are expected to suspend our belief for 70 odd minutes, maybe the film makers should have encouraged the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the unfolding events of Cloverfield.It may also have been to the films advantage to remain somewhat coy about the actual monster, as the partial shots of its tail,and distance shots are just so effective in maintaining the general air of menace,but these are merely points rather than criticisms, as the finished movie still does a fine job of opening the door for a genuine resurgence in well made monster flicks.

Overall though Cloverfield is a fantastic and slightly disturbing major film, served by nothing more than adequate extras. Expect an "ultimate edition " in the not too distant future.