Piper's Perspective DVD Review: Cloverfield

Posted by Ben Piper on 04.22.2008

If the Blair Witch and Godzilla had a love child, is this what it would look like?

Marlena Diamond: Lizzy Caplan
Lily Ford: Jessica Lucas
Hudson “Hud” Pratt: T.J. Miller
Rob Hawkins: Michael Stahl-David
Jason Hawkins: Mike Vogel
Beth McIntyre: Odette Yustman
Written by Drew Goddard
Directed by Matt Reeves
Produced by J.J. Abrams and Brian Burk
84 minutes
Rated PG-13 for violence, terror, and disturbing images



Cloverfield was the moderate hit movie from early this past year that sprung forth from the fertile mind of producer J.J. Abrams. (Lost, Alias) Early buzz on the internet had this movie pegged as the thing to see, and having watched it on the big screen, it did not disappoint this viewer. How does it compare when transferred to DVD? Let’s take a look.

The Film:

As you most likely know by this point, Cloverfield is a bit of a hybrid, a cross pollination between Godzilla and The Blair Witch Project.

The movie begins by subtlety setting the tone that this isn’t your usual movie going experience, in that the opening “credits” is actually a test screen followed by a Department of Defense disclaimer that states that the following footage is property of the U.S. government, it shall not be reproduced in any fashion, and that the footage shown was retrieved in what used to be known as New York’s Central Park. “Multiple sightings of case designate “Cloverfield”.

What follows sets up the backstory for two of the main characters, Rob and Beth. It would seem that they were “in like” with one another for a very long time before they finally hooked up. The first scenes show them the morning after, videotaping one another’s reactions to the previous night. They both seem happy and content, and upon learning that Beth has never been to Coney Island, Rob is steadfast that they must make the pilgrimage.

Quickly we become discombobulated as things quickly shift perspective. Now suddenly instead of witnessing an intimate moment between two new lovers, we’re all of sudden downtown in New York. According to the automatic dating of the videotape it’s less than a month later, and we’re now following around Jason, Rob’s brother (who’s now manning the camera) and his girlfriend Lily as they are planning Rob’s going away party. Seems he landed a high profile job in Japan, so they want to send him off in style. Part of this entails videotaping the entire surprise party they have planned.

Jason knows a shit job when he sees one, so he quickly passes off this chore to Hud, Rob’s “main dude”. Hud also doesn’t want the job, but agrees to take it on once he learns that the girl he has admired from afar, Marlena, will be there. Hud then proceeds to do his assignment, as he videotapes the party, stalks Marlena relentlessly, gathers the requisite “testimonials’ from friends and well-wishers for Rob, and watches on in disbelief as Beth brings another suiter to the party with her.

This leads to a big argument between Rob and Beth in the hallway outside the apartment, which Hud conveniently videotapes for our viewing pleasure. The conversation ends badly, and Rob is now put into a funk as a result. Rob’s brother Jason and Hud find themselves pressed into service by Lily to somehow lift his spirits after all of this. As they converse about the subject of Beth upon a fire escape outside the building they’re at the entire city suddenly shakes, and the surrounding area blacks out.

And from there, everything goes to hell. As Rob and his friends rush out into the street, confusion reigns as the buildings around them crumble and collapse, sending waves of dust in their direction very reminiscent of 9/11. In fact, one of the extras ask if this is another terrorist attack. But that is not the case, as Hud captured an image on the camera he is holding; a passing shot of something ominously huge passing between buildings. Something alive.

This sets the rest of the movie into motion as Rob, Hud, and their friends spend the rest of the runtime either trying to get off of Manhattan island, or to rescue an injured Beth literally stuck in her midtown apartment, all the while dodging a 35 story tall monster and the surrounding chaos that it leaves in its wake.

When I saw this in the theater I must admit that I had a genuine mild adrenaline rush throughout, and it made me jump in my seat at least three times that I can remember. After a second viewing on DVD? Not so much, but that is to be expected. After watching this DVD with friends I felt really gratified that several of them jumped in their seats at the same parts I did (as they had not seen the movie as yet) and they greatly enjoyed the first time experience watching this as much as I did in the dark on the big screen.

I still find it an entertaining spectacle of an experiment. I say that in that no one really knew if this would fly and be successful creatively, let alone commercially. It succeeded in both areas in my opinion.

With regards to the 350 foot tall monster? Trust me when I say that it’s unlike anything else you’ve ever seen. Kudos to the creature designer for that. But one of the hooks of the movie is that you never really get a good long lingering look at it. You get glimpses here and there in the early stages, but when you finally witness the creature as it’s right there in front of you it’s there and gone just as quickly.

It’s a quite masterful piece of cloak and dagger entertainment. It holds it’s creative cards close to its chest while providing genuine thrills and visceral fear and brief moments of levity interspersed throughout.

I would go into more detail about the situations that arise, but if you haven’t seen Cloverfield you’d be better served if you just sit back and enjoy the ride, rather than know in advance what’s ready to jump out and bite at you.

For those that hated the movie after viewing it due to motion sickness, what did you expect? Did Blair Witch teach you nothing? So as a public service announcement, if you’re prone to queasiness due to scattershot all over the place shakycam visuals, then this may very well not be the movie for you.

For everyone else? It’s an enjoyable monster movie that crackles with intensity.

Video:

It’s a pretty decent transfer, I must say. The only shortcomings are due to what the filmmakers did intentionally, via the camera shaking and the occasional out of focus shot. So while I am subtracting overall brownie points for that very thing, for the most part, the movie looks good.

Audio:

Presented in Dolby Digital: English 5.1 surround/ French 5.1 surround/ Spanish 5.1 surround. Subtitles; English/French/Spanish.

The sound effects in the movie are pretty amazing, and at times unintentionally chuckle-worthy, but in a good way. I’d go into more detail about that last bit but I don’t wish to spoil anyone that hasn’t yet seen the movie.

Furthermore, another aspect the film presents is the overall ambience of paranoia and fear among the populace, and that is most present in what is said by extras not necessarily seen on screen. It’s heard in passing, but yet it still registers in your mind. They’re making plans to seek refuge at a sister’s house in Jersey, or simply wondering what in the hell is going on.

Not to mention numerous explosions, monstrous roars, and a major city crumbling around you as you bear witness.

Special Features

Commentary by director Matt Reeves: It’s informative enough, but dear God was this boring to listen to. There goes an hour and a half of my life that I’ll never get back.

Document 1.18.08-The Making of Cloverfield: A lot of what was mentioned in the commentary track is reiterated in this segment, but thankfully this was far more interesting to watch. A lot of good stuff is included, including how J.J. Abrams initially got the idea for the project, how everyone involved did their best to keep the details of the movie secret, how the actors sometimes actually worked the camera for simple shots and professional cameramen were instructed to forget all their training and experience in order to make things look like they were shot by an amateur. This basically covers the entire film shoot from day one until the last shot filmed, which ironically, was the first scene of the movie. Good stuff

Cloverfield Visual Effects: As the title states, this involves the putting together of several key set pieces and all the work that went into doing so. Obviously a lot of green screen and CGI were involved, but some old school matte work as well. Very good piece for fans of movies and how “the magic” is all put together. Interesting to note that you get better views of the monster in this feature than you do in the entire movie.

I Saw It! It’s Alive! It’s Huge: This deals exclusively with the design and concept of the monster, and creature designer Neville Page talking about his experience on the film. Director Matt Reeves states that nothing is scarier than a creature that is bigger than you terrified at its surroundings, in that it will do anything. The most interesting aspect of this feature is Page’s assertion that the monster is an infant, newly born. When it roars, it’s not doing so out of a threatening nature, it’s crying for it’s mother. He sees that as making the creature empathetic rather than just plain fear-inspiring.

Clover Fun: Essentially the blooper reel, culled exclusively from the pre-attack party scene. Nothing to write home about.

Deleted Scenes: The first couple are from the party scene, and are actually humorous in their own right, but as director Matt Reeves explains in his commentary track on them, they were ultimately cut due to the fact that they really needed to introduce the monster rather than dragging things out further. The other two are post monster. One is basically an extended scene with some minor added dialogue. The other is actually really emotional as one character reacts to the death of another character. Reeves explains that the scene felt a bit out of place after the action sequence that proceeded it, in that it brought things down a bit. I actually would have kept it in, as it worked for me in that it added some emotional depth.

Alternate Endings: Minor tweaks on the theatrical ending. Nothing earthshattering.

Previews: Theatrical trailers for J.J. Abrams version of Star Trek and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Also, a link for a website is provided on the special features section; www.cloverfieldfiles.com… And for whatever reason I cannot access it, sorry.

Film: 8.0
Video: 7.0
Audio: 9.0
Extras: 7.0

The 411: Cloverfield has it's drawbacks, from flaws in character logic to the fact that it's filmed entirely in a scattershot hand-held formula. But in regards to the latter, that is the hook of the piece in that it immerses you right into the middle of an attack on a major city by some otherworldly monstrosity. From this perspective, the movie succeeds as a solid piece of popcorn entertainment that should be enjoyed for what it is, rather than looked down upon for what it isn't.

Final Score:  7.5   [ Good ]